Newcastle in concrete talks for Randal Kolo Muani after Benjamin Sesko snub
Eddie Howe is now looking to PSG to solve Newcastle United’s striker woes as talks open to sign Randal Kolo Muani.
The Magpies are potentially facing a 2025/26 campaign without a natural centre-forward, with Callum Wilson joining West Ham as a free agent and Alexander Isak attempting to push through a move to Liverpool.
Having refused to travel with the rest of the squad on a pre-season tour, the Sweden international is currently training away from the first team, but could still be integrated back into the team.
Football Insider understands that Howe is being partly blamed for Newcastle’s failings in the transfer window, having missed out on multiple targets, but the club have no time to waste now.
It appears that Kolo Muani, who spent last season out on loan with Juventus, where he notched 10 goals and three assists in 22 appearances, could be the solution to Howe’s angst over the past few weeks.
Randal Kolo Muani rises to top of Newcastle transfer list
Writing on X, Sky Sports’ Patrick Berger said: “Newcastle United are in concrete talks with striker Randal Kolo Muani. The PSG forward is now top of Newcastle’s shortlist after Benjamin Sesko decided to join Man United.
“Newcastle have other options, too, with Ramos, Watkins and Jackson,” with the Magpies having also lost out on Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.
Eddie Howe to put transfer voodoo behind him
Football Insider verdict
While Kolo Muani has clearly not been on Newcastle’s radar until now, he would be a superb addition to the squad after recording 13 goal contributions in 22 games for Juventus last season.
His time at PSG has not worked out, only notching 11 goals and seven assists in two seasons – a far cry from his Eintracht Frankfurt days – but his playing style is contagious.
With the likes of Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga, and Anthony Gordon around him in the final third, he would flourish, just like Isak has done over the last three seasons at St James’ Park.
Of course, filling those shoes will be no easy task, but with the striker boasting high-profile performances on the international stage with France, he is certainly worth taking a risk on.
Matt Le Tissier told Football Insider that Marc Guehi is more likely to join Newcastle should Ibrahima Konate put pen to paper on new terms at Anfield.
That would be a huge boost for the Magpies, who continue to miss out on their first choices, and so too would sealing a permanent move for Kolo Muani, who is searching for a new home away from PSG.