Newcastle United will be hoping that future transfer windows have more clarity about them than the summer window they had.
The Magpies were involved in one of the craziest sagas in recent Premier League history, involving Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool, which dragged on all summer. So far, they have certainly got the best end of the deal.
It has arguably impacted their start to the campaign, with Eddie Howe’s side finding themselves in sixth place in the table. With three wins in a row, though, form is starting to build for the North Eastern side. Further reinforcements might enhance their chances of qualifying for the Champions League again.
Indeed, there are already links with the January transfer window well and truly upon us.
Newcastle target Premier League defender
It seems that Newcastle could be looking at strengthening in defence at some stage. There is a report which suggests Howe’s side have been offered La Masia graduate Oscar Mingueza, the versatile Celta Vigo defender, at a cut-price fee.
However, he is not the only defender the Magpies are pursuing.
According to a report from Caught Offside, they have Brentford full-back Michael Kayode ‘on the radar’ and could look to make a move. It is not the first time Newcastle have been interested in the Italian, having watched him during his time at Fiorentina.
The 21-year-old has admirers aside from Newcastle, though. He is also wanted by Premier League rivals Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
European giants Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Inter Milan are also keen. As for a price, Brentford are set to demand a fee of £35m. If they receive that, then it’s likely he’ll be free to leave.
What Kayode could add to Newcastle
If the Magpies were successful in signing Kayode, he would add instant Premier League quality to their side.
Described as a “physical monster” by football scout Antonio Mango, he’s got bags of experience in the top flight already and would be something of a plug-and-play addition.
Indeed, under manager Keith Andrews this season, the 21-year-old is flying. Kayode has made 21 appearances in the Premier League at right-back, starting every single game and playing 90 minutes on 16 occasions.
One of the real standout skills in the young Italian’s game is his ability to lock down some of the Premier League’s best attackers.
One of the best examples came at the start of the campaign against Aston Villa, when he helped keep the likes of Morgan Rogers quiet in a 1-0 win, making major contributions, including an impressive block.
That is certainly reflected in his standout underlying defensive numbers from the 2025/26 season so far. For example, the defender has won 4.9 ground duels and made 4.8 ball recoveries on average per 90 minutes.
Kayode stats in 25/26 PL
Stat
Per 90 mins
Season total
Aerial duels won
1.3
26
Ground duels won
4.9
98
Clearances
3
61
Interceptions
1.3
25
Ball recoveries
4.8
96
Stats from Squawka
If the Magpies are to get this deal over the line, it could well be bad news for academy graduate Lewis Miley.
Of course, he is a midfielder by trade, but recently, the 19-year-old has been deployed as a right-back by Howe. It is fair to say he has shone in such an unfamiliar role.
In total, six of Miley’s 24 Newcastle appearances this campaign have come from right-back. He’s chipped in with a goal and assist there, too, making a real nuisance of himself in the final third.
So god has the young Englishman been in his new role that Howe recently said, “you wouldn’t know right-back isn’t Lewis’s natural position.”
However, it might be bad news for the Newcastle number 67. It is already hard enough to break into the midfield, with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes ahead of him in the pecking order in his natural position.
Now, adding Kayode to the squad could really spell bad news for the Stanley-born teenager. He will perhaps struggle to get the game time he needs at right-back as well, despite playing so well in the role.
The Italian would certainly add quality and depth to the Magpies squad, even if that is at Miley’s expense.
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