Newcastle agree £23m fee to sign Ajax teenager Sean Steur in third youth deal of the summer

Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Ajax midfielder Sean Steur for a reported £23m fee, with a five-year deal agreed in principle and the 18-year-old set to travel to Tyneside to complete the move.

The deal, reported by Dutch outlets, would make Steur Newcastle’s third signing of a player under 21 this summer. He made his senior debut for Ajax in the 2024-25 season at just 17 years and 36 days old, going on to make 26 appearances and scoring his first goal in a 1-1 draw against Feyenoord. Reports had initially suggested Steur was expected to sign a new contract at Ajax before Newcastle’s interest changed his course.

The move fits a clear pattern at St James’ Park this summer. Eddie Howe has already brought in French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen and Ivorian winger Bazoumana Toure, both aged 20, while the club has also been linked with 20-year-old Switzerland forward Johan Manzambi. The shift towards youth has been accelerated by the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, the latter joining Tottenham Hotspur, which have freed up significant funds for a squad overhaul.

Midfield reinforcement is a priority for Howe. Joe Willock is expected to depart during the current window, further thinning the options in the engine room. Steur, despite his age, arrives with meaningful top-flight experience and the kind of high ceiling Newcastle’s recruitment team has been targeting.

Elsewhere, the club has held firm over the future of captain Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal have had an offer rejected for the Brazilian, and Newcastle have repeatedly stated he is not for sale as they look to build around their most influential player heading into next season.