'Elite' winger linked with Newcastle United reportedly 'interested' in £25m January move

Newcastle United could be closing in on signing a right-winger in January according to a report from Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

The Magpies are in desperate need of a new outlet down the right despite the mini-resurgence of Jacob Murphy of late.

Miguel Almiron is expected to leave the club next year and the Magpies have several players on their wish list after missing out on Noni Madueke and Anthony Elanga in the summer.

Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo have been touted as high priorities, but Sacha Tavolieri believes the Magpies are closing in on another target.

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Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri says Bakayoko is keen on a move to Newcastle

PSV's Johan Bakayoko has been identified as a target for Newcastle lately and now Tavolieri has suggested that the 21-year-old is keen on a move to Newcastle as he told Sky Sports.

"According to English sources, Newcastle’s management could act as early as this winter to convince their Dutch counterparts, who are demanding up to thirty million euros to sign the PSV Eindhoven star.

"Interested in the project, Johan Bakayoko feels that the time has perhaps come for him to take a step forward in his sporting career.

"While PSV had promised him a contract extension this summer, along with a new salary increase, the fact of not having kept this promise also puts the Belgian international in the best position to request the possibility of a transfer if negotiations were to start quickly…

"One thing is certain, the Dutch club will not put any obstacles in Johan Bakayoko’s way and will be ready to listen to the Magpies’ offer if it were to be placed on the desk of the American-Dutch director, Earnie Stewart."

A Dutch outlet is now reporting that an agreement is close between Bakayoko and Newcastle

In addition to Tavolieri's claims, Football365 claims that Dutch outlet Voetbal Krant have said Bakayoko is a ‘concrete’ target for Newcastle and an ‘agreement is very close’ after ‘very positive’ talks were held between the two clubs.

Bakayoko may not be anyone's first choice when the likes of Mbeumo have been mentioned, but his lack of Premier League experience is offset by the cheaper asking price of around £25 million and the fact that he is only 21 and can therefore be moulded by Eddie Howe to fit his style.

With six goals and three assists in 21 games in all competitions this season, he looks like he could be a decent buy. We always reserve judgment on players coming from the Eredivisie, however, as our record of recruiting from that league is spotty at best. The De Jongs, anyone?