Newcastle may now be forced to sell a wonderkid likened to Lionel Messi this summer.
Despite boasting one of football’s richest owners in the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, the Magpies might need to make a major sale this summer if Eddie Howe is to splash more cash on incomings, due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
As a result, one journalist has now claimed Newcastle may have to offload a 19-year-old sensation…
Newcastle considering Yankuba Minteh sale
According to Dutch journalist Martijn Krabbendam, Newcastle are thinking about selling Yankuba Minteh this summer due to PSR.
The teenager has spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Arne Slot’s Feyenoord, making a huge impression in the Netherlands as the Dutch outfit lifted the Eredivisie title.
Minteh has scored ten goals – while also providing six assists – in just 26 Eredivisie appearances this season, making him one of the most exciting teenage talents in Europe.
However, Krabbendam believes Newcastle could now decide to cash in on The Gambia international’s efforts, rather than introduce him into the first-team at St James’ Park.
The Feyenoord correspondent told the Dick Voormekaar Podcast Extra: “Newcastle United is having a bit of trouble with financial fair play rules, I heard this week. They might consider selling Minteh.
“Feyenoord has no chance (of signing him if that is the case). They just can’t afford that. He is worth more than €20m (£17m). That’s going to be some work to replace him.”
Newcastle are believed to have paid just £5.8m to sign Minteh from Danish side Odense Boldklub back in June 2023 – so the Magpies stand to make a decent profit this summer, if the Gambian prodigy is to be sold.
Cashing in would be a shame
In our view, it would be a shame if PSR forced Newcastle into selling Minteh.
The Bakoteh-born winger has huge potential, and could well become worth far more than just £17m with another impressive campaign under his belt next season.
Tonny Hermansen – formerly head of Odense Boldklub’s academy – even told Tipsbladet that Minteh was nicknamed after Messi during his time in Denmark, saying: “We had heard that he was considered a really good player who was called Messi.”
He has also been compared to Aston Villa No.19 Moussa Diaby.
Therefore, it would be sad to see Newcastle cash in – although only time will tell if it happens for certain.