- Newcastle United in talks for Zadok Yohanna
- AIK release official statement after £21m offer
- Swedish club confirm transfer talks close to completion
Zadok Yohanna could be the new name on the lips of the Newcastle United faithful as they aim to complete their first signing of the summer.
Eddie Howe and Co are preparing for an important transfer window, having already lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.
Earlier today, we reported on Read Newcastle that the Magpies are locked in talks to sign Yohanna from AIK.
And now, the Swedish club have released an official statement on their website to confirm the aforementioned transfer talks.
Newcastle United close to signing Zadok Yohanna
In the story we wrote about the 18-year-old earlier today, it was confirmed that Newcastle United have made the strongest offer for Yohanna.
While that report didn’t have a transfer fee, Swedish newspaper Expressen (via Chronicle Live) confirmed that the offer is around £21m plus add-ons.
Brighton, Tottenham and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the player, who has just over 1000 minutes of senior football under his belt.
However, it appears as if Newcastle United have won the race for his signature, with AIK releasing an official statement on their website.
The statement reads, “AIK Fotboll has initiated negotiations regarding the sale of player Zadok Yohanna.
“The current bid indicates a net profit effect higher than £20m. If and when an agreement has been reached, this will be communicated.”
It is worth noting that AIK haven’t confirmed that the bid is from Newcastle. However, all the reporting so far has suggested one thing: the Magpies are well and truly at the front of the queue to sign the talented winger.
Yohanna dubbed an ‘exceptional’ player
This is Yohanna’s first season in Europe, with AIK signing him from Ikon Allah Football Academy, a renowned Kaduna-based grassroots academy that develops professional talent.
Earlier in the season, the 18-year-old starred in a game against Degerfors but didn’t record a goal or an assist in the game.
However, Degerfors manager Henok Goitom lavished praise on him, referring to him as an exceptional talent.
“Yohanna is an exceptional player,” said Goitom via Expressen. I love watching him play. He plays like he plays on the street.
“We told Samba [Diatara] that he is good. And to [Elias] Barsoum that we have to play two against one there.”
It is unclear whether Newcastle are the highest bidder, but that is likely to be the case as they have decided to go all out on Yohanna.
The next few days will give us more clarity, but don’t be surprised if the 18-year-old becomes the Magpies’ first signing of the summer.
