Newcastle United are on the verge of completing a third signing of a player under 21 this summer, with reports from the Netherlands indicating the club have agreed a £23 million fee with Ajax for 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur.

Steur made his senior debut for Ajax during the 2024-25 season at just 17 years and 36 days old, going on to rack up 26 appearances in total. He also scored his first senior goal in a 1-1 draw against Feyenoord.

The teenager had been expected to put pen to paper on a new deal at Ajax, but those same Dutch reports suggest he will instead travel to Tyneside to finalise a move. A five-year contract is said to have been agreed in principle.

A summer of youth at St. James' Park

The planned arrival of Steur fits squarely into Newcastle's broader summer strategy — one centred on acquiring young players with high potential rather than established names. Manager Eddie Howe has already brought in French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen and Ivorian winger Bazoumana Toure, both aged 20.

The club have also been linked with Swiss starlet Johan Manzambi, 20, as Howe looks to assemble a squad built on youth and long-term upside.

Midfield reshaped after Tonali sale

The move for Steur addresses an urgent need in central midfield following the sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur. Joe Willock is also expected to depart Newcastle before the transfer window closes, further thinning the options in that area of the pitch.

One player who will not be leaving, however, is club captain Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal have seen a bid for the Brazilian rejected, and Newcastle have repeatedly insisted he is not for sale. The club are determined to keep their talisman at St. James' Park heading into next season.