- 15 hours ago
Newcastle step up interest in Bundesliga.2 wonderkid
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 22 Nov 2024 11:50 GMT
- 6 min read
Newcastle United are looking to bring in more young talent next year and reports have suggested that Hertha Berlin wonderkid Ibrahim Maza.
The 18-year-old has been linked with a move away from Germany's capital for his stellar displays in Bundesliga.2.
Eddie Howe is looking to bolster the side as the January transfer window nears. The club's sporting director, Paul Mitchell, in particular, has spoken about his ambition of signing up-and-coming talent rather than forking out millions on players who are already first-teamers.
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The former Monaco and Tottenham transfer chief said back in October: "Because other clubs that have adopted a different approach over time, with more intelligence, more data-informed than we are, actually prospered in this window. That's where we have to grow to be now.
"You look at the money we have invested up to this point, £250million net over the last two-and-a-half years. Was our model in place to be able to spend more to the levels we would have liked to enhance the team? I don't think it was, because we haven't sold a player during that time, barring what we were forced to do through PSR. "
Current ETV
Ibrahim Maza
AM, M (C)
Ibrahim Maza
AM, M (C)
Hertha BSC
ETV Range
€2M - €3.3M
Newcastle are currently in eighth spot in the Premier League table, but just a single point off third place, in what is a tightly-contested season so far. The ambition is to make a play for a European place but more goals are needed for them to do that.
Now CaughtOffside have reported that one name they are looking at is Hertha's Maza. Their report read: "Sources have advanced that Hertha have reduced Maza’s asking price to €20m as they intend to cash in, in the new year. Moreover, opening offers as low as €13m are expected to get the ball rolling.
The piece also mentioned that there is interest from Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, West Ham United and Brentford in Maza.
Newcastle's interest inKolo Muani
It comes after FootballTransfers revealed that Paris Saint-Germain will offer Randal Kolo Muani out to clubs on a loan basis in the January window and Newcastle are among the suitors.
Kolo Muani was signed by PSG for €95m after a stellar World Cup in Qatar as well as scoring 26 goals and registering 17 assists in 50 games overall for Frankfurt. Now PSG are looking to move the player on in the hopes of sealing a permanent move for him in the summer, which is why an option-to-buy or an obligation clause has been mooted.
For their money, we are Newcastle are open to a loan move the terms. There is an appreciation that the Frenchman can play along the front line and has before performed at an elite level. As reported on FootballTransfers previously, there is a strong interest from Newcastle in Bryan Mbeumo, but the club know there will be competition for his signature after the winger's superb start to the season. Plus, any fees made for the 25-year-old - likely north of €60m - will go against anything that Newcastle can spend in the summer.
Kolo Muani can play adeptly on the right wing, but he is not left-footed, which is seen as problematic. His ability to both score and provide assists is of interest, however, as is the fact he could come at a reduced rate and supplement Alexander Isak. Should the Sweden international sustain a long-term injury, they would be left with William Osula, who has seen just 10 minutes of Premier League action this season, and Callum Wilson, whose persistent injury troubles mean that he cannot be relied on.
