Newcastle United are reportedly keeping track of £15 million-rated Montpellier striker Stephy Mavididi.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are interested in Montpellier striker Stephy Mavididi as they look to bolster their attacking options. The former Arsenal youngster is valued at around £15 million by the French club, and he would boost any side’s homegrown quota.
The Magpies have made a quick start to the January transfer window. They have already completed the capture of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood. The quality and experience of both Trippier and Wood coming into the side could be vital in their current predicament.
Nevertheless, Newcastle are still active in the market and are looking to add another striker, a central midfielder and a new centre-back as key priorities before the window closes. Although they currently have three strikers on their roster, they seek a younger attacker to learn the trade besides the experienced heads and become a crucial part of the team going forward.
The Magpies have recently been linked with a move for French wonderkid Hugo Ekitike. With Reims demanding a fee in excess of £30 million for their prized asset and increased competition from the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Paris Saint-Germain, the Toon are exploring other avenues. Mavididi has become the latest attacking talent to be linked with a switch to the North-East of England.
Mavididi came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and was rated highly ranks. But, despite impressive loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Preston North End, he failed to feature for Arsenal’s senior side before leaving to link up with Juventus Under-23’s in 2018. He would play just once for the first team during his one-year spell in Turin before being sent out on loan to Ligue 1 side Dijon.
The loan stint paid dividends as the youngster netted eight goals in 28 appearances before catching the eye of Montpellier, who snapped him permanently. After scoring nine goals from 40 games in his debut season at Mosson Stadium, the 23-year-old is quickly emerging as one of the brightest young attacking talents in France and has produced 6 goals and 3 assists so far this season.
The striker could now be set for a return to England with the trio of Premier League clubs, including Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle monitoring his progress. His younger brother, Shaun, is already at Newcastle’s youth ranks, so that may give them the edge to pip their competition for the Englishman.
Signing someone of Mavididi’s potential could be a smart move from the Magpies as he would be a far cheaper alternative to Ekitike. Moreover, he is much more established, homegrown and could make an immediate impact if required. The versatile forward has been one of the driving forces in Montpellier’s top-four charge in the French top-flight this term.
Mavididi’s contract with La Paillade runs until the summer of 2024. Although the French club would like to keep their joint-top scorer, given financial stress in French football, they could readily cash in on their star forward for around £15 million. Whether Newcastle step up their initial interest in the forward remains to be seen.
