Man City set to sign Paul Mitchell target as Newcastle miss out on second January deal

It's been a frustrating month so far in the January transfer window.

Not only have we faced the constant message that we must 'sell to buy' for PSR reasons, but it seems we've now missed out on TWO targets to Man City.

First it was Abdukodir Khusanov, the Lens star Paul Mitchell wanted to bring to St James' Park, now there's news of another young centre-back heading to the Etihad.

Man City win race for second Toon target

Earlier this month, The Athletic revealed that Newcastle were chasing Juma Bah; the 18-year-old centre-back impressing in La Liga following a loan move to Real Valladolid.

Chris Waugh reported that he was the latest 'project signing' on Paul Mitchell's radar, but it seems he won't be arriving on Tyneside.

Last night, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano released the following update on Bah, announcing out of the blue that he's all set to join Man City: 'Manchester City are set to sign 2004 born CB Juma Bah from Valladolid! Verbal agreement done. Understand plan could include loan move to RC Lens being discussed, excellent relationship after Khusanov deal.'

Unlike Khusanov, who is likely to go straight into Man City's first-team squad, it seems Bah is one for the future who could head to Lens on loan for the remainder of 2024/25.

However, it is a shame that we've missed out on both, with Mitchell unable to repeat the feat with Bah after beating Arsenal and a number of other 'top clubs' to Georgian wonderkid Vakhtang Salia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6KMxO-p7oM

Mitchell committed to more future stars

He's missed out on Bah to Man City, but sporting director Paul Mitchell is clearly intent on bringing more top young talent to St James' Park.

It's not only a cheap route to signing potential first-team stars, but also a strategy that can help with PSR; whether they make it at Newcastle or are sold for quick profits after impressing out on loan.

We saw this with Yankuba Minteh, who arrived in a £6m move from Odense before a £33m sale to Brighton barely 12 months later after an impressive loan stint with Feyenoord.

Speaking on our recruitment plans after winning the race for Salia, Mitchell said: “We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang.

"Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.