Advertisement

Newcastle to consider recalling Yankuba Minteh from Feyenoord in January amid injury crisis

Feyenoord's Gambian forward #19 Yankuba Minteh fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Spanish midfielder #25 Rodrigo Riquelme (R) during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam on November 28, 2023
Minteh has already netted three times for Feyenoord - Getty Images/John Thys

Newcastle United are looking into the possibility of recalling winger Yankuba Minteh from his loan spell with Feyenoord as they have been so impressed with the impact he has made in the Netherlands.

The 19-year-old arrived from Danish club Odense for around £7 million in the summer but was immediately sent out on loan to gain first team experience under a highly rated manager in Arne Slot.

But given the extent of Newcastle’s injury problems this season – manager Eddie Howe was without 13 players for the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint Germain this week – conversations have recently taken place about whether the youngster should return to Tyneside.

Newcastle did not insert a recall option into the loan contract with Feyenoord and staff are currently weighing up whether it would be better to leave the teenager where he is or ask the Dutch club to send him back.

Feyenoord would not have to agree to the recall request, given they paid a loan fee to sign him for the whole season, but the relationship between the clubs is a good one and there is hope a compromise could be reached.

Minteh has recently returned from a hamstring injury and has made 10 appearances for Feyenoord, in both the Eredivisie and the Champions League. He has scored two goals and has the same number of assists.

Although winger Harvey Barnes is expected to return from a foot injury before the end of the year and Jacob Murphy should be back after shoulder surgery in the middle of January, Newcastle’s squad has been severely stretched because of injuries and the extra stress of playing in European competition.

Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James Park on August 12, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Harvey Barnes should be back before the end of the year - Getty Images/James Gill

Should the Magpies progress into either the Champions League or the Europa League after their final group game against AC Milan and beat Chelsea in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup it is likely Newcastle would have to recall Minteh.

The club’s recruitment team have started to make more detailed plans for the winter window but Profit and Sustainability rules mean their spending power will be limited.

The main priority in January is to sign a replacement for Sandro Tonali, who is serving a 10 month ban for breaching betting rules during his time at former club AC Milan, with Manchester City’s England international Kalvin Phillips featuring prominently in planning meetings.

It remains to be seen whether Phillips will be allowed to join Newcastle on loan, with either an option or an obligation to make the move permanent in the summer.

Telegraph Sport understands City would not refuse to send him to Tyneside, but there is intense competition to sign the 27-year-old, who has hinted he needs to leave as he is not getting enough game time at the Etihad Stadium.

Sources, though, have stressed that no final decision will be made on any transfer targets until they know how many players are still out after the hectic December schedule.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.