Newcastle United have been given the transfer greenlight to solve their forward issues this summer, with a former target set to be available.
The Magpies were tracking Borussia Dortmund's teenage sensation Youssoufa Moukoko last year as his contract was set to expire at the end of the 2022/23 season. However, he committed his future to Dortmund, ending any hopes of an imminent move. However, those transfer hopes can be rekindled after his agent, Patrick Williams, announced his client's plans to leave Signal Iduna Park.
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“Youssoufa has a huge potential, which unfortunately he couldn‘t show last season. I think the fact that he scored 5 goals in 613 minutes says everything about his quality. Few players in the Bundesliga have such a rate," Williams told Fabrizio Romano.
“Youssoufa was promised a lot before he signed, but it wasn't realised. He was always only interested in playing and in his development - not in anything else just like the media reports always claimed. If it had been about the money, he could have accepted other lucrative offers where he could have earned more than three times as much.
“Media always portray him as a loser, whether in training or the ongoing season. The only thing he wants, is to play and if he is asked to go out and play, we’d have no stress.
“It's not a secret that there are enough clubs out here who believe in Youssoufa's qualities and want him in their team. I say BVB is making a mistake in giving Youssoufa away. With so little playing time, everyone will know that Youssoufa's market value will be low and Dortmund can't expect much.
“We wanted it to be different, but that's the football business. Youssoufa is totally clear in his mind, extremely focused and knows what he wants to drive his career forward. Now we are sounding out interest from England, Spain and France."
Moukoko has been considered one of Europe's brightest prospects after bursting onto the scene aged 16, and has already netted an impressive 158 goals at various age levels - despite not yet turning 20.
The 19-year-old was restricted to just five league starts last season, though, and is now keen to further his development elsewhere. Newcastle could be in the market for a new forward this summer and Moukoko would fit the bill.
With Callum Wilson aged 32, coming off the back of an injury plagued season, and with just one year remaining on his contract, a young forward with bounds of potential could be the ideal replacement if United cash in on the England international this summer.
Newcastle have also been linked with young Sheffield United forward Will Osula and a younger forward, who would command a smaller fee but has the potential to grow into a top Premier League forward seems to be a market United are happy to shop in.
Moukoko, who has already been capped twice by the German national team, would offer the ideal solution.
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