Newcastle exploring move to sign £85m sensation

On the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Newcastle United sealed a place in next year’s Champions League.

It was the perfect icing on the cake, and well deserved at that. Eddie Howe exhumed the demons of recent years in winning the Carabao Cup and responding to last year’s European heartache by clinching the fifth spot in the standings, and now has the power to target some big names.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is the top target for the Magpies’ attack, fitting the bill as a prolific and Prem-proven right-sided forward, but Manchester United are also very keen, and a fallback will be needed to prevent a repeat of the previous summer window.

Well, Paul Mitchell might have left his position as sporting director at St. James’ Park, but Newcastle are uniform in their desire to make this a summer to remember, with an Mbeumo alternative already lined up.

Newcastle exploring move for PL star

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are closely monitoring Mohammed Kudus’ situation at West Ham United, with the Ghanaian winger expected to leave east London in the coming months.

It’s previously been claimed by the BBC that Graham Potter could move to sell Kudus this summer to create funds for investment, and United will need to act quickly, given there is concrete interest from the Saudi Pro League.

As per Football Insider’s report, the former Ajax man featured highly on the Magpies’ shortlist, with the St James’ Park outfit said to be ‘exploring a move’ for his signature.

It’s been a difficult campaign for the 24-year-old and for West Ham, so while he has an £85m release clause, suitors are ready to offer something in the ballpark of £50m.

What Mohammed Kudus would bring to Newcastle

Described as a “generational talent” by journalist Gary Al-Smith in the past, Kudus is one of the most powerful and physical wingers in the world, but he’s struggled to perform throughout a turbulent West Ham season.

With just five goals this season and 19 from 80 total matches as a Hammer, Newcastle wouldn’t be signing a player with the prolific track record of Mbeumo, who bagged 20 goals from 38 Premier League matches for Brentford this season, placing him behind only Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.

But Kudus offers a singular threat, with his ball-carrying ability sure to add an exciting dimension to a fluent, trophy-winning team stepping back onto Europe’s elite stage.

Isak is one of the, if not the, most clinical goalscorers on the continent, and Anthony Gordon knows where the back of the net is too. Kudus, indeed, has a prolific vein in his locker, but the London Stadium hasn’t been the right ground for him to discover his finest streak.

As you can see, Kudus has endured a less profitable season than last, but he’s still an excellent player, offering a range of qualities, and could go from strength to strength in Howe’s system.

It’s unlikely he would hit the same clinical form as Mbeumo, but Kudus would bring his own take on the winger’s game, stretching and snapping backlines while adding a dynamic threat.

As per FBref, the £90k-per-week talent ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for pass completion and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, so it’s hardly as if he hasn’t offered significant qualities to a struggling Irons side.

There’s a different breed of fluency and togetherness about Howe’s Newcastle, who were the fourth-highest scorers with 68 strikes.

Newcastle have, after all, felt the full force of Kudus’ ball-striking ability when he’s on his A-game.

Signing Kudus would be something of a risk, but Howe’s tactical skills and high demands would compel Kudus to work as hard as he ever has, probably harder.

If Newcastle can get the finest version of the speedy star performing at St. James’ Park, week in, week out, it could be a stunning capture, one which could elevate the team just as high as if Mbeumo had arrived instead.