Newcastle United will now battle to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko this window with the move seen as all but dead, sources have reported. Caught offside.
While the Magpies are willing to accept a £10million bid for right-wing striker Miguel Almiron from MLS side Atlanta United, bringing in additional funds, a move for Bakayoko is now unlikely.
Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell has identified the youngster as a priority target as the former Monaco executive looks for value for money purchases.
But PSV’s valuation means Eddie Howe’s side won’t be able to afford Bakayoko. The Eredivise club are at the top of the league and don’t want to lose any of their star players mid-campaign.
Newcastle managed to avoid problems related to the PSR after it was announced on Wednesday that no Premier League club broke the rules over the three-year period from 2021 to 2024.
While funds are now in place for the club, Jacob Murphy’s form has also eased Newcastle’s desire for a right winger. The 29-year-old has contributed ten goals in 14 Premier League starts this season.
Eddie Howe opens up about Newcastle’s PSR woes
Ahead of the PSR announcement, Eddie Howe, who oversaw Newcastle’s 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night, spoke about the club’s PSR problems last summer. The Magpies were forced to sell Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton to avoid a possible points penalty.
“The last thing we want to do, or want to do as a club manager, is sell academy products who have the potential to play with this team for many years,” Howe said.
“Elliot was an example – he was the last sale we wanted to make. We knew his qualities and he had just come into the team towards the end of last season. He had performed very well in different roles for us.
“But we were literally left with no other option at that point with 48 hours to go, we had to make a decision that we didn’t want to make. It will always be our last option to do so. But when you add it all up and say, “Well, it’s a points deduction and breaching the PSR or making a sale, I think you have to make the sale.”
