Newcastle United have reportedly submitted a €24m bid for fast-rising Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, despite AIK having already reached a verbal agreement with Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Brighton have been in advanced talks to sign the highly-rated AIK Fotboll winger after tabling a €24m offer, days after the Swedish club revealed that it had begun negotiations over his potential sale.
The Seagulls are preparing for life back in Europe after finishing the 2025/26 season in eighth place in the Premier League, securing UEFA Conference League football.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side are expected to enter the market for reinforcements this summer, with Adam Webster leaving upon the expiration of his contract and James Milner announcing his retirement.
While talks with Brighton are ongoing, reports from Sweden suggest Newcastle have entered the race in an attempt to outbid their Premier League rivals.
“Newcastle have entered the race for Zadok Yohanna. The interest is concrete.
However, Yohanna and Brighton have an agreement in place, as revealed and now 100 per cent confirmed again,” Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg wrote on X.
“Brighton are still in direct negotiations with AIK. Brighton are not giving up despite Newcastle and other clubs. A decision is expected soon.”
Swedish outlet Expressen also reported that Newcastle’s offer includes performance-related bonuses for Yohanna.
“Expressen understands that negotiations are ongoing between the clubs and sources also confirm that Brighton are still in the picture and are pushing hard to sign Yohanna in competition with Newcastle. French club Rennes are also in the picture, as Expressen has previously reported, as well as another club in the Premier League.”
Given the size of the bid, Yohanna is on course to become the most expensive sale in Allsvenskan history just over a year after joining AIK from Nigeria.
Yohanna has made a notable impression in AIK’s first team since joining the club last year, registering five goals and four assists in 18 appearances across all competitions, primarily operating from the right wing.
