Newcastle now make contact to sign “fantastic” £34m forward, Jaissle’s a big fan

Newcastle United have made an approach to sign Feyenoord star Anis Hadj Moussa, with Matthias Jaissle identifying him as a priority target.

As we enter the final week of the transfer window, Newcastle have set out to improve their attack, having mainly strengthened other areas of their squad so far this summer.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo has been the priority target so far, with Luke Edwards revealing the Magpies are “in the mix” for the Lille speedster but also urging fans not to “get your hopes up” due to the level of interest in the player, so it is no surprise Hadj Moussa is also being looked at.

Jaissle is known to be a big fan of Hadj Moussa, whose main position is right-wing, with the 38-year-old identifying him as one of his top targets not long after replacing Eddie Howe, although a deal could be relatively costly at around €40m (£34m).

It is no surprise the German is an admirer, considering the Algerian performed very well in the Eredivisie last season, picking up 11 goals and six assists in 30 appearances. The Feyenoord star also loves driving at opposition defences, averaging 2.7 successful dribbles per 90 in the Eredivisie last term, while he also created 16 big chances, which was seven more than any other member of the squad.

Scout Jacek Kulig lauded the 24-year-old as “fantastic” during the 2024-25 campaign, and having proven himself over a number of years since then in the Eredivisie, he could now be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League, with the Magpies waiting in the wings.

Newcastle make approach to sign Anis Hadj Moussa

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Newcastle have been carrying out checks to assess what it would take to seal a deal for Moussa, and he is very keen on a move to the Premier League.

Further talks could take place over the next few days, but the Algeria international isn’t the only option under consideration, with Jaissle’s side also keen on signing Real Betis star Abde Ezzalzouli, off the back of a very impressive campaign in La Liga.

Ezzalzouli chipped in with ten goals and nine assists in 19 matches for the Spanish side, while he also performed well in the Europa League, picking up four goals and three assists in seven outings.

REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini may be reluctant to lose the winger though, after saying in January: “Ezzalzouli has matured and improved significantly because he listens to what is told to him and doesn’t stick to his own opinion. I am very happy for him.”

“He is a player with great potential and is very open to accepting criticism and advice to develop his performance on the field.”

The fact the 24-year-old is already proven in one of Europe’s top leagues is an added bonus, and suggests he should be the Magpies’ number one target, rather than Moussa, who has predominantly played in the Netherlands and Belgium.