Who Is Dion Drena Beljo? Newcastle United Linked With £20m Striker
Newcastle United are reportedly considering a January move for Croatian striker Dion Drena Beljo, who has been attracting attention with his prolific goalscoring performances for Dinamo Zagreb.
According to reports from The i Paper, Newcastle have been monitoring the 24-year-old for several months, with scouts returning positive assessments of his performances.
With many fans concerned about our strikers; Osula, Wissa and Pardo, it will be no surprise to hear more transfer rumours running up to the January window.
Who is Dion Drena Beljo?
Beljo is a Croatian international centre-forward, born on 1 March 2002, who stands approximately 6ft 5in tall.
He began his career in Croatia before joining German Bundesliga club Augsburg in January 2023.
However, he struggled to establish himself in Germany, scoring five league goals in 44 appearances.
A subsequent loan spell with Rapid Vienna in Austria helped revive his career before he joined Dinamo Zagreb in July 2025.
Since returning to Croatia, his goalscoring record has been remarkable.
Reports credit him with 18 goals and six assists in 19 appearances this season, following a 38-goal campaign in 2025/26.
Why are Newcastle said to be interested?
Newcastle's lack of goals has become an increasing concern, with Matthias Jaissle's side struggling to find a consistent source of goals in the Premier League.
Beljo's physical presence, height and finishing ability make him an interesting potential addition.
Newcastle scouts were reportedly present when he scored against Sunderland in Dinamo Zagreb's 2–0 Europa League victory last Thursday.
How much would Beljo cost?
The striker is reportedly valued at around £20 million, although Dinamo Zagreb could demand more. His contract runs until 2030.
Several other Premier League clubs have also been linked with him.
For now, Newcastle's interest remains at the scouting stage but with January approaching, Beljo is certainly a name worth watching and at £20M-£30M he might be an affordable option within our budget.
Will Newcastle United sign a striker in January - we discussed this recently on NUFCBlog
Adam, on a ST we should target.
For me it's down to the type of player they are rather than just the number of goals.
I never watched Wolt before he came but once here it was clear early on that he wasn't a physical player, was easily knocked off the ball, and wanted to drop deep.
None of that was suitable to the PL or Eddie's 433.
If Jaissle persists with 4231 the lone ST needs to be at least 6'2", be able to hold the ball up, have pace and a trick to get past defenders, and a good finisher.
Scoring plenty of goals in weaker leagues can easily fool even the best scouts and managers into thinking…
We already have Neave, I can't see the point of signing another young striker with a similar profile.
The problem with Lankshear is that Spurs got rid of him at a time when they themselves needed a striker. Yes, he was young but they could have loaned him out to the championship rather than sell him outright to the championship.
And the championship is not the EPL, as Dwight Gale can tell you.
So that's a risk and his transfer fee will be very large.
Have to be honest just like virtually anyone we sign from Europe ( with the exception of some from Spain) or the championship I know nothing about either. But as it was reported that to sign Pardo we had to get Woltenade out,even on loan, I can’t see how there is much money available. Maybe Willock is on his way to turkey to fund some spending but as he is playing every week then you would think if he goes we need a replacement for him ( probably a 10)
Beljo is 6' 5" tall which is in Woltermade territory.
Is that good or bad ?
Will Lankshear is 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall.