PIF begin talks to sign “prolific” £26m CF for Newcastle, he’d make Howe forget Isak
On Tuesday morning, widespread reports confirmed that Alexander Isak is determined never to play for Newcastle United again, pushing to force through a move to Liverpool after the Reds saw their initial £110 million bid rejected.
Even if the Swedish striker fails to secure his desired switch to Merseyside, Eddie Howe must realistically prepare for life without his talisman and top scorer.
This has inevitably led to questions about whether Newcastle already have a replacement lined up.
So far this summer, the Magpies have explored numerous striker options but with little success. Targets such as João Pedro, Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško have all opted to join other Premier League clubs.
A £25 million bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa was rejected, and while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson was offered to them, his £80 million price tag has made that move unrealistic.
Newcastle may therefore have better luck looking beyond the domestic market, much like they did in securing the £35 million signing of centre-back Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.
Recent reports from French outlet L’Équipe suggest that Newcastle are in discussions with Stade Rennais over a deal for striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, with Brentford also showing interest.
The 23-year-old has already turned down an approach from newly-promoted Leeds United, but Rennes manager Habib Beye, himself a former Newcastle player, is said to be preparing for a major departure.
Kalimuendo’s value is believed to be around €30 million (£26 million), making him a potentially affordable option for a club seeking a proven finisher.
Kalimuendo’s journey began in Suresnes, a suburb of Paris, where he joined the Paris Saint-Germain academy at just ten years old. Despite excelling at youth level, he made only five senior appearances for PSG, totalling 167 minutes.
His real breakthrough came during two loan spells at Lens, where he scored 21 goals in 65 matches. In the summer of 2022, he completed a permanent move to Stade Rennais for €25 million (£21.5 million), becoming the most expensive academy graduate sale in PSG’s history at that time.
The move has proven highly successful, with Kalimuendo delivering 40 goals and 14 assists in 112 games for Rennes — numbers that closely resemble Isak’s output at Real Sociedad, where the Swede scored 44 goals and provided eight assists in 132 appearances.
Kalimuendo’s 2024/25 Ligue 1 season further underlined his ability to perform at the highest level:
| Stat | Kalimuendo | Ligue 1 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 17 | 3rd |
| Goals inside box | 17 | 3rd |
| Shots | 68 | 7th |
| Non-penalty goals – xG | +3.1 | 8th |
| Big chances missed | 6 | 35th |
| Avg. SofaScore rating | 7.06 | 10th* |
*Among forwards who played 30+ games. Source: FBref.com and SofaScore
Every one of Kalimuendo’s 17 league goals last season came from inside the penalty area, highlighting his instinctive, poacher-like style.
His efficiency in front of goal is reflected in his low big-chance miss count just six over the campaign an impressive statistic compared to top scorers like Ousmane Dembélé, who missed 17, and Emanuel Emegha, who missed 25. For perspective, Isak missed 18 big chances in the Premier League.
Kalimuendo’s performances have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. He has represented France at multiple youth levels, won Olympic silver on home soil last summer, and found the net against New Zealand at the Stade Vélodrome during that tournament.
His earlier participation at the U21 Euros further showcased his talent. Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig has described him as “prolific,” noting that he has already amassed 61 senior goals before turning 24.
For Newcastle, securing Kalimuendo for around £26 million could prove to be one of the bargains of the transfer window. His proven goal-scoring ability, movement inside the box, and track record in a competitive league make him an attractive option to lead the line.
Should Isak depart, the Frenchman’s arrival might not just fill the void — it could lead to fans on Tyneside confidently saying, “Alexander who?” by the close of the summer window.