The Magpies are sticking to their vow to sign young talent from around Europe
07:32, 07 Jul 2026Updated 07:47, 07 Jul 2026
Sean Steur looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax and FC Groningen
Newcastle United have taken their talent search to Holland in their bid to replace Sandro Tonali with sources at Ajax claiming the Magpies are close to signing 18-year-old Sean Steur.
A £23million deal is said to be on the table for the midfielder who is capable of playing as a No 6 or a No 8 with just 25 senior appearances to his name in the famous red and white of Ajax so far.
A future sale percentage fee of 12.5% has also been set on Steur’s contract with Newcastle believed to have taken advantage in a contract blunder by Ajax.
Steur was set to agree a deal until 2030 with Ajax but after the exit of technical director Alex Kroes, replaced by Jordi Cryuff, no agreement has been reached and Steur has opted for a move.
On the contract dispute, Kroes said: “The media suggested that the Supervisory Board had interfered in this matter. I can reveal that the SB had no say or involvement whatsoever. It was an internal discussion, but we said, ‘You should stay at Ajax, we will help you develop.'”
Notably, Steur is represented by the same agency – THE TEAM – as Eddie Howe and with Newcastle in the hunt for a replacement for Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes’ future still unclear, the midfield area at Newcastle has suddenly became a bigger issue.
Steur only signed a contract until 2028 last August and said then: “I hope to play more minutes in the Johan Cruijff ArenA this year; that is a dream.”
The teenager went on to make 24 appearances as Ajax finished a disappointing fifth place. He began his youth career with RKAV Volendam before being snapped up by Ajax’s Academy and playing through the youth ranks after a rapid rise.
Steur has only three Holland Under-19 caps to his name so far and has been nominated for the Dutch Golden Boy award.
Ajax’s Director of Football, Marijn Beuker, has previously said: “He is a great talent and has been promoted early for a reason over the past few years. Sean is a dynamic midfielder who can dribble well and always looks for solutions going forward. We have a lot of confidence in a bright future for him at our club.”
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