Exclusive: Newcastle deal for PSV winger on the verge of collapse
Johan Bakayoko is highly regarded by Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell
Newcastle United will now struggle to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko this window with the move all but dead, according to sources Caught offside.
Although the Magpies are expected to accept a £10m offer for right attacker Miguel Almiron from MLS club 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 manager looks for high-quality, value-for-money buys.
But PSV’s valuation means Eddie Howe’s side cannot afford Bakayoko. The Eredivise club are at the top of the league and do not want to lose any of their star players in the middle of the season.
Newcastle avoided any problems with PSR after announcing on Wednesday that no Premier League club had broken the rules in the three-year period 2021 to 2024.
Although the club now has resources at its disposal, Jacob Murphy’s form has also tempered Newcastle’s desire for a right winger. The 29-year-old has scored ten goals in 14 Premier League starts this season.
Eddie Howe talks about Newcastle’s PSR problems
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 I as manager of the club, is sell academy products that have the potential to play for this team for many years,” Howe said.
“Elliot was a case in point – it was the last sale we wanted to make. We knew his qualities and he only joined the team towards the end of last season. He has performed really well for us in various roles.
“But we literally had no choice at that moment, with 48 hours to go we had to make a decision we didn’t want to make. It will always be our final decision to do so. But when you add it all up you come to the conclusion: “Well, it’s a points deduction and a PSR violation or a sale, I think you have to complete the sale.””
