In the summer of 2024, Newcastle United had to reluctantly sign exciting young forward Yankuba Minte to avoid potentially breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.
The Gambia international was reportedly sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee of £30m to avoid PSR troubles, and the Magpies should have seen him build a decent career in England.
Since the start of last season, the left-footed attacker has scored eight goals and provided nine assists for Brighton, according to Sofascore, proving he can make a difference in the top flight.
One of those goals, of course, came against Newcastle in May, when the 21-year-old star cut in and brilliantly slotted the ball into the top corner, as seen in the clip above.
Newcastle keep tabs on EFL winger
It’s been 18 months since they lost such an exciting and direct young winger, and the Magpies could finally get their hands on one of their own as they target an EFL star.
Newcastle United are one of a number of teams interested in 20-year-old Watford forward Osman Maama, according to TEAMtalk.
According to reports, the Magpies, Liverpool and Manchester United have sent scouts to keep an eye on the young winger, who started in the Hornets’ 3-0 win over Birmingham City on Thursday.
He added that Newcastle and other interested clubs have been keeping an eye on the Moroccan talent for some time and will continue to monitor his development at Vicarage Road.
TEAMtalk also revealed that it would be difficult for Watford to turn down a significant offer for the youngster in the January transfer window, having only paid £1m for his signing last summer.
Why Newcastle should sign Osman Maamma
Newcastle need to test the Championship side’s resolve with a big bid for Maamma, who could be their own version of Minte on the wing, before the end of the window.
The Gambian forward failed to make any top-flight appearances for the club until his £30m move to Brighton, which meant the Magpies were unable to enjoy his exciting play on the wing.
However, there is also the possibility that Maamma could be signed to directly break into the first team, giving Eddie Howe a new attacking threat in the second half of the season.
The 20-year-old talent, who talent scout Jacek Kulig claims has “huge potential”, has one assist and three goals in 10 Championship starts for the Hornets so far this season, according to Sofascore.
As shown in the graph above, his statistics in the second division this season are strikingly similar to those recorded by Minte over the past 365 days at Brighton. Both are excellent goalscorers, creators and dribblers, which is why they are such exciting wingers.
What makes his form even more impressive is that he attracted attention during international duty, having had to represent Morocco at the Under-20 World Cup in September and October, when the domestic season was suspended.
2025 U20 World Cup | Osman Maamma |
|---|---|
Appearance | 7 |
Sofa score evaluation | 7.41 |
the goal | 1 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 5 |
Key paths per game | 1.1 |
assist | 4 |
Number of successful dribbles per game | 2.7 |
Statistics by Sofascore | |
As you can see from the table above, Maamma scored 5 goals in 7 games for Morocco, who won the U20 World Cup final by defeating Argentina 2-0.
Hailed as “magical” by Under-23 scout Antonio Mango, the Moroccan winger, like Brighton’s Minte, has the potential to develop into a regular goal-scoring and assisting winger, given his overall form for club and country this season.
That’s why the Magpies should be so keen to sign him ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. Because he’s an incredibly exciting young player and he should make a move this month before it’s too late.
Bad news for Miley: Newcastle are preparing big for £52m ‘make a difference’
It could be bad news for Lewis Miley if Newcastle United sign the high-profile star in January.
It will now be up to the club to put an offer attractive enough for the Hornets to part ways with the World Cup-winning attacker in the January transfer window.
