Newcastle pushing to sign two African players

Newcastle United are having a nightmare transfer season so far. The Magpies managed to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three years without a first-team player signing in three consecutive transfer windows. But now, they really need some quality players. After finally getting Anthony Elanga, Newcastle still need a defender, goalkeeper and a striker (at least). However, a combination of player snubs (Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Liam Delap) and too high funds required (Hugo Ekitike) left the Magpies frustrated. Since Callum Wilson left the club, they need to find a striker and since a much younger Ekitike couldn’t come, they decided to put aside their club policy of signing younger players and turned their attention to Yoane Wissa.

The 28-years old DR Congo striker is their reserve option and the Athletic reported that personal terms are agreed with the player, but Brentford is not going to let him go on a cheap, certainly not after getting so much money from the Mbeumo transfer. Newcastle offered 25 million pounds, but the Bees rejected, as they want 50 million. Wissa has only one year left on his contract, but the club has an option to activate a one-year extension. That is why the player decided to leave the training camp in Portugal and return to London for talks with Brentford’s executives. Tottenham is also interested in signing the player as their new boss is Thomas Frank, and it seems that the Congo international wouldn’t mind signing for the Spurs either. He turns 29 this September and feels this is the critical moment of his career.

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During this transfer failures, Newcastle sold their former youth prospect Sean Longstaff to Leeds, which means they need another midfielder. According to Africafoot, 21-year-old Malian international midfielder Mahamadou Doumbia, who impressed many last season with Antwerp is on Newcastle’s radar, and the club’s representatives have already been to Belgium for talks. His age fits the Newcastle’s policy and the Magpies wouldn’t have to play him right away as they already have five midfielders ahead of him. His price tag of 20 million euros is also quite modest, and it remains to be seen if coach Eddie Howe will give the ‘green light’ for Doumbia’s transfer.