Newcastle close to the arrival of Ajax talent Sean Steur (18)

Newcastle close to the arrival of Ajax talent Sean Steur (18)

Newcastle United is close to signing Sean Steur. The 18-year-old Ajax midfielder is reportedly high on the list in the North East of England and the deal could be worth around £23 million. Following the transfer of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee that could reach £100 million, Newcastle have the financial strength to make a move on the market. Previously, £43 million was paid for wing attacker Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim, and now the attention seems to be completely focused on Steur.

Last summer, Steur extended his contract with Ajax until 2028, but the Amsterdam club is nevertheless in a somewhat vulnerable position. The midfielder made his debut in the first team in December and quickly won a starting place. A few weeks later he even kicked off in the won Classic against Feyenoord - an important signal of confidence in his qualities.

The development of Sturgeon is underlined by striking statistics. According to figures from Opta, among midfielders who started the season in the Eredivisie at the age of 18 or younger, he was number one in chances created (15), number of dribbles and runs with the ball (231) and duel success (56.8%). He also ranked second for total passes (623), passing accuracy (89.7%), tackles (20), recoveries (49) and duels won (46). It outlines the profile of a youthful midfielder who adds value both in possession of the ball and in transition.

For Ajax, a departure of Steur would again be a serious loss in the flow of its own talent, although due to his longer contract duration there is in principle a strong negotiating position. For Newcastle, the arrival of a promising, creative midfielder fits into the broader strategy to rejuvenate the team and add more depth to the midfield following the departure of Tonali. The supposed transfer fee — which could rise to around £23 million — reflects the market value of a rare profile at this age.

Although there is no official confirmation yet, the deal seems to be entering the decisive phase. Newcastle wants to act quickly to include Steur in the preparation, while Ajax must consider whether the offer is acceptable in relation to the sporting plans. To be continued in Amsterdam and Newcastle.

Read more on our latest coverage and stay tuned for updates on what happens next.

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