Newcastle United are said to have made a €24 million offer for highly rated Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, despite reports that AIK Fotboll have already reached a verbal understanding with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
Brighton had previously moved into advanced discussions with AIK after matching the €24m valuation placed on the young attacker, following early talks over a potential departure from the Swedish side.
The Seagulls, who finished eighth in the 2025/26 Premier League season and qualified for the UEFA Conference League, are already planning for the upcoming campaign. They are expected to strengthen their squad, especially with Adam Webster set to leave when his contract expires and veteran James Milner retiring from football.
Even though Brighton appeared to be in pole position, fresh reports from Sweden suggest Newcastle have now joined the contest to sign the winger, setting up a direct battle with their league rivals.
Football journalist Florian Plettenberg stated that Newcastle’s interest is serious, but maintained that Yohanna already has an agreement in place with Brighton. He added that Brighton are still in active talks with AIK and remain determined to complete the transfer, despite pressure from Newcastle and other interested clubs.
Swedish publication Expressen also reports that Newcastle’s proposal includes bonus-related incentives tied to performance. The report further notes that discussions between the clubs are still ongoing, while Brighton continue to push strongly for the deal. Rennes of France, along with another unnamed Premier League club, are also believed to be monitoring developments.
If the transfer is completed at the reported figure, Yohanna could become the most expensive player ever sold in the Allsvenskan, just over a year after joining AIK from Nigeria.
The 18-year-old has made a strong impression since breaking into AIK’s first team, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 18 appearances across all competitions, mainly operating from the right flank.
