On the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League the next season.
It was the ideal icing on the cake, and well earned. Eddie Howe exorcised the demons of recent years by winning the Carabao Cup and reacting to last year’s European disappointment by finishing fifth in the rankings, and he now has the ability to target some big names.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is the main target for the Magpies’ attack, fitting the bill as a prolific and Premier League-proven right-sided forward, but Manchester United is also interested, and a backup plan will be required to avoid a recurrence of the previous summer window.
Well, Paul Mitchell may have left his post as sporting director at St. James’ Park, but Newcastle remain united in their ambition to make this a memorable summer, with a Mbeumo replacement already lined up.
Newcastle exploring move for PL star
According to Football Insider, Newcastle are keeping a careful eye on Mohammed Kudus’ position at West Ham United, as the Ghanaian winger is poised to leave east London in the coming months.
The BBC previously reported that Graham Potter could sell Kudus this summer to raise funds for investment, and United will need to act fast given the Saudi Pro League’s expressed interest.
According to Football Insider, the former Ajax player was high on Newcastle’s shortlist, with the club thought to be ‘exploring a move’ for his signing.
It has been a difficult season for both the 24-year-old and West Ham, so while he has an £85 million release clause, suitors are willing to pay around £50 million.
What Mohammed Kudus would bring to Newcastle
Kudus, once described as a “generational talent” by journalist Gary Al-Smith, is one of the world’s most powerful and physical wingers, but he has struggled to perform during a tumultuous West Ham season.
Newcastle would not sign a player with the prolific track record of Mbeumo, who scored 20 goals in 38 Premier League matches for Brentford this season, trailing only Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland, and Mohamed Salah.
But Kudus represents a unique threat, with his ball-carrying abilities sure to bring an interesting dimension to a fluent, trophy-winning club returning to Europe’s elite stage.
Isak is one of, if not the most clinical goal scorers on the continent, and Anthony Gordon also knows where the back of the net is. Kudus does have a prolific vein in his locker, but the London Stadium has not been the ideal setting for him to discover his best streak.
| Mohamed Kudus in the Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (* per game) | 23/24 | 24/25 |
| Matches (starts) | 33 (27) | 32 (31) |
| Goals | 8 | 5 |
| Assists | 6 | 3 |
| Shots (on target)* | 2.0 (0.5) | 2.3 (0.7) |
| Pass completion | 84% | 90% |
| Big chances created | 5 | 4 |
| Key passes* | 0.8 | 1.0 |
| Dribbles* | 3.8 | 2.9 |
| Ball recoveries* | 6.4 | 4.3 |
| Tackles* | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| Duels won* | 8.5 | 6.4 |
As you can see, Kudus had a less profitable season than the previous one, but he’s still a good player with a variety of skills who might improve in Howe’s system.
It is unlikely that Kudus will match Mbeumo’s clinical form, but he will offer his own spin on the winger’s style, stretching and snapping backlines while presenting a dynamic threat.
According to FBref, the £90k-per-week star ranks among the top 6% of positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion this season, as well as the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, indicating that he has contributed significantly to a struggling Irons team.
Howe’s Newcastle, who were the fourth-highest scorers with 68 goals, had a unique blend of cohesion and teamwork.
Newcastle have, after all, experienced the full impact of Kudus’ ball-striking talent when he is at his best.
Signing Kudus would be a gamble, but Howe’s tactical skills and high expectations would force Kudus to work as hard as he’s ever worked, if not harder.
If Newcastle can get the best version of the quick star to produce at St. James’ Park week after week, it might be a fantastic signing, elevating the team just as much as if Mbeumo had arrived instead.
