Newcastle United are facing a hotly contested race to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Arnaud Kalimuendo this summer, according to Foot Mercato. 

The lowdown: Rising star

A product of the youth academy at PSG, Kalimuendo has progressed impressively through the ranks in the French capital and made four senior outings before being sent out on loan for consecutive spells at RC Lens.

During his time at the Ligue 1 outfit, the 20-year-old striker has scored 21 goals and provided six assists in 69 appearances, proving to be a ready-made top-flight performer despite his tender years - talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed him 'absolutely deadly' and 'fantastic'.

Now set to return to Paris, where competition for a role in the front three means ousting one of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar, Kalimuendo has a big decision to make regarding his future...

The latest: Growing interest

Previously linked to Newcastle, as per Foot Mercato, newly promoted Nottingham Forest have joined the Magpies in sharing an interest in the French youth starlet.

The report once again cites the admiration from St James' Park and states that officials - presumably new transfer chief Dan Ashworth - are 'keeping an eye' on the youngster once hailed a 'superstar in the making' by European football expert Antonio Mango.

While he has apparently rejected Forest, it's also claimed that the 10-cap Under 21 ace has 'no shortage' of suitors with Leicester City watching closely.

The verdict: Make a move

With a new striker likely to be high on the list of priorities for Eddie Howe and Ashworth this summer, signing another supremely talented French youngster to potentially accompany the swoop for Hugo Ekitike would be a superb piece of double business.

As things stand, Howe only has an injury-prone Callum Wilson and a goal-shy Chris Wood to call on to lead the line, therefore, adding two exciting options to the ranks would be a welcome boost.

During 2021/22, Kalimuendo scored a sensational 13 goals in 38 outings across all competitions, earning a 6.82 Sofascore rating whilst taking 1.8 shots on an average per game and also showing versatility by operating in a deeper role as well as from the left-wing on occasion.

Sharing similar stylistic traits to such superstar names as Luis Suarez, Ciro Immobile and Jonathan David (Fbref), adding the talented £16.2million valued gem to Howe's ranks alongside Ekitike would furnish the manager with two huge prospects and also likely generate profit down the line if they fulfil their potential.

In other news, this maestro is willing to bide his time in order to seal a Newcastle move.