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Newcastle leading the race for Watford star Mamadou Doumbia
Newcastle United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of a promising forward late in the January transfer window.
From the sale of Alexander Isak to the signings and resulting form of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, it feels as though Newcastle’s 2025/26 season has been centered on strikers.
Both new arrivals have shown flashes or extended spells of brilliance for the Magpies, but it is clear that beyond the pair, they lack depth to lead their forward line. William Osula remains a Newcastle player, but the Dane has scarcely been called upon this season.
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Having spent big in the summer, Newcastle are yet to recruit any new additions this January, despite being linked to a number of players. Manager Eddie Howe has lamented the impact of Profit and Sustainability Rules on the club and following their 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa, the 48-year-old said, as per Chronicle Live:
“We have the players that we have, and we have to find a solution with those players.
“There’s no point me thinking we need another type of player at this moment because it’s not going to happen. The next chance we’ll really have to change the squad will be the summer. It’s about getting the best out of the players we have.”
Despite Howe’s lack of optimism around new arrivals, the Tyneside club have now been linked with a move for one of the Championship’s most promising talents ahead of the window slamming shut on the 2nd February.
Newcastle leading the race for Watford forward
Recently, Africafoot have reported that Watford attacker Mamadou Doumbia is attracting significant interest from a number of teams ahead of the transfer deadline. Though Premier League sides Burnley and Brentford have shown an interest in the teenager, sources close to the forward have claimed that fellow top flight outfit Newcastle United are now leading the race.
An international with Mali, Doumbia signed what was his first professional contract when he joined Watford in 2024. The 19-year-old has, this season, played in 18 games with 11 starts, scoring three goals and notching an assist in that time as he continues to develop.
Scout Jacek Kulig has previously described Doumbia as an “absolute star” and his form this season has attracted Newcastle’s interest.
Whilst needing depth for their striking ranks, any new addition would have to be content with a place on the bench when both Woltemade and Wissa are fit. Doumbia is still a young prospect but one with concrete experience in senior English football. As such, Newcastle may view him as the perfect profile to reinforce their forward pool.
As per Transfermarkt, Doumbia is represented by Elite Project Group Limited, the same agency that represents Arsenal star Bukayo Saka amongst many other top talents. Newcastle are expected to accelerate their efforts to sign Doumbia, though the forward’s reported preference is to remain focused on his current performances rather than being distracted by transfer speculation.
Whether a deal will be agreed remains to be seen, particularly given how little time is remaining in the window. Should Newcastle agree terms with Watford though, they would be recruiting a highly-exciting attacker with evident potential to grow into.
