Newcastle United are actively reshaping their midfield and attack this summer as they seek to build a more competitive squad under Eddie Howe.

After having a £30 million bid rejected for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, the Magpies are now exploring alternative routes, and attention has turned towards a rising star in European football.

Reports suggest that Newcastle have initiated contact to sign Mahamadou Doumbia, a 21-year-old Mali international who currently plays for Belgian side Royal Antwerp.

Doumbia has emerged as a top target for Newcastle following the recent departure of academy graduate Sean Longstaff, who joined Leeds United in a £15 million move.

While Longstaff’s exit may not have made major headlines, his departure has created a gap in midfield that Howe is keen to fill. Doumbia is believed to be one of the players Howe personally admires, and the club appears determined to explore a deal this summer.

His current contract contains a €20 million (£17.4 million) release clause, making him a reasonably priced target in today’s inflated transfer market.

Newcastle have already begun discussions with the player’s representatives, showing real intent to bring him to Tyneside.

The fact that Doumbia is young, energetic, and versatile makes him an appealing prospect for a club looking to blend experience with youth.

Last season, the midfielder featured in 34 matches across all competitions, contributing three goals and two assists.

However, his aggressive playing style also saw him accumulate nine yellow cards, highlighting both his physical presence and areas that could benefit from further development.

What makes Doumbia an intriguing choice is the strategic thinking behind the move. He is not being brought in as an immediate starter but rather as a squad player with potential to grow into a regular first-team option.

This aligns with how Newcastle are looking to structure their midfield hierarchy. With Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton currently occupying the primary midfield roles, there is limited space for another high-profile or high-demand midfielder.

Instead, Howe is targeting someone who can provide depth, learn within the system, and mature over time.

Doumbia’s profile fits this brief perfectly. At just 21 and without any Premier League experience, he will not expect to walk into the starting eleven.

Instead, he offers raw talent, energy, and the willingness to develop under Howe’s guidance. This would allow Newcastle to maintain balance in their squad without disrupting the current dynamics of the starting midfield trio.

Moreover, with European football still a possibility and the physical demands of a long domestic season, depth will be essential. Doumbia provides a sustainable and intelligent solution to that need.

While the club remains focused on the Wissa situation, Doumbia’s potential arrival signals Newcastle’s broader ambition to build a team with both short-term competitiveness and long-term planning.

The Malian’s signing wouldn’t be just a like-for-like replacement for Longstaff—it would represent a more dynamic and thoughtful addition to the squad, one that considers the club’s trajectory, player development, and tactical flexibility.

Newcastle’s approach this summer seems rooted in careful strategy rather than reactive spending. With Eddie Howe closely involved in targeting players who fit both the club’s budget and footballing philosophy, the pursuit of Mahamadou Doumbia could become one of those understated but highly effective moves.

If the deal goes through, it could prove to be a smart piece of business—one that strengthens the squad quietly, but meaningfully.