Amidst Yoane Wissa pursuit, Newcastle have also made contact to sign £17.4m player Eddie Howe loves

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Newcastle are currently working on a deal for a new attacker.

TBR Football understand Newcastle have just seen a £30m bid rejected for Yoane Wissa – although the situation is ongoing, with the DR Congo international eager to leave Brentford.

There is also a desire to sign a new central midfielder after Leeds sealed a £15m deal for Sean Longstaff last week.

Now, Africa Foot have named the man Eddie Howe wants to replace the Newcastle academy graduate, as the Magpies show interest in Mahamadou Doumbia.

Eddie Howe adores Mahamadou Doumbia as Newcastle make Royal Antwerp star a priority target

The African news outlet now state that Newcastle have decided to make the 21-year-old a priority target following the departure of Longstaff.

Africa Foot believe Howe is an admirer of Doumbia and is very interested in bringing the Mali international to Tyneside, and a deal is relatively affordable – there is a €20m (£17.4m) release clause written into his contract at Royal Antwerp.

Newcastle are said to have already made contact with the Malian’s representatives to explore whether a deal would be possible this summer.

Doumbia made 34 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring three goals and providing two assists while also accumulating nine yellow cards.

Mahamadou Doumbia represents a smart option to replace Sean Longstaff

Despite the obvious similarity of both Doumbia and Longstaff being central midfielders, signing the Bamako-born prospect would be wise from Howe in a hierarchical sense.

Longstaff departed after making just eight Premier League starts last season, as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton were preferred more often than not.

Therefore, it is important for Newcastle to replace the 27-year-old with someone who will not immediately demand regular starts, and can initially act as more of a squad option as they develop their skills.

At the age of just 21 and with no Premier League experience whatsoever, Doumbia certainly ticks that box.