Sky Sports Keith Downie has insisted that he can’t see Newcastle United managing to sign Youssoufa Moukoko.
It emerged earlier this week that Newcastle had made a verbal approach for German sensation Moukoko as his contract stand-off at Borussia Dortmund continues with the Magpies seemingly happy to offer him £150,000 per week.
While the signing of Moukoko would certainly fit the profile of PIF looking to bring in young players this month as they’ve already done with Garang Kuol, however, the former is different as he’s already a regular for Champions League giants Dortmund having scored six goals this season.
Therefore, he would likely be meaning first team football and a hefty wage packet to come to Tyneside, where European football isn’t even yet guaranteed for next season, which could make it difficult given Eddie Howe already has players such as Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson to call upon.
Downie has admitted on the Loaded Mag YouTube channel that he can’t see Newcastle landing Moukoko with a whole load of European clubs interested in him.
He said: “Amazing player. There’s a lot of interest in him, though – a lot.
“I think Newcastle would probably have to offer him regular football to start with for him to come in. I just don’t think the striker department right now with Isak and Wilson there, I’m not sure if that’s realistic at the moment.
Would Moukoko be a good signing for NUFC?
Yes!
No!
“I think he would want to come in and play; he’s playing at Dortmund. Newcastle are obviously bringing in younger players, like I’m talking about a young right-back to come in and I think they’re trying to supplement the academy squad with young players that can come in, and he would obviously be for the first team.
“The figures are eye-watering as well, that are being talked about. From what I’m hearing from within the club, certainly not this window, he might be the sort of player maybe in the future [they bid for]. I think the word is they’re going to try and go quite a bit bigger in the summer but I just can’t see a deal like that happening this January.”
TIF thoughts on a Moukoko deal…
When the news emerged of Newcastle looking to beat clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester City to the signing of Moukoko it will have sent shockwaves throughout the football industry as a sign, once again that the Magpies are looking to establish themselves as a top club.
Joining Newcastle could indeed be a solid move for Moukoko as he’d be surrounded by top talented players such as Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes and not be pressurised to lead the line, instead learn from someone as experienced as Wilson.
Also, the fact that Eddie Howe has made players such as Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron have great careers with Newcastle since his arrival should show Moukoko that the Toon boss could and very likely would take his game to the next level.