Newcastle United's midfield makeover is about to take a massive leap forward, with sources confirming that Ajax's Sean Steur is set to join the Magpies in a deal worth up to £23m. The 18-year-old prodigy, a box-to-box midfielder with skills for days, has been making waves in Amsterdam, with many tipping him as the next big thing after Frenkie de Jong.
Steur's arrival is expected to send shockwaves through St James' Park, as he prepares to take on the likes of Lewis Miley and battle for a spot in central midfield. Don't be surprised if he becomes an instant fan favourite – his energy, pace, and vision have already made him a standout performer in the Eredivisie.
This transfer is a key component of Eddie Howe's rebuild plan, which has been triggered by the departures of Tonali (£100m) and Gordon (to Barcelona). The manager knows that his squad needs an injection of fresh talent to compete with the best, and Steur looks like he could be the spark that sets them alight.
Steur's rise to prominence was meteoric last season – from Ajax's youth ranks to 25 senior appearances in just a few months. He's already earned his stripes at international level with the Netherlands Under-19s, and it won't take him long to make an impact on the Premier League stage.
Newcastle aren't done yet, though – reports suggest they're still chasing Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi (available for £51m from Freiburg) as well as bolstering their attack with more signings. First up is winger Bazoumana Touré (£43m from Hoffenheim), who's been brought in to replace Anthony Gordon – a significant coup for the Magpies, and another sign that Eddie Howe means business.