Newcastle United are yet to make any senior signings ahead of next season, but the Magpies are closing in on signing someone for the future.
Yankuba Minteh looks set to become the Magpies’ first new recruit of the summer, with the 18-year-old set to arrive from Odense BK for around £6million.
Newcastle have fended off interest from other Premier League clubs to get Minteh, who is going to be loaned out immediately.
The Magpies already have a plan in place for the teenager, who could turn out to be a ‘special‘ player according to Danish football expert Toke Theilade.
That will be the hope, with the overall goal being for Minteh to play for Eddie Howe and the Newcastle United first-team.
However, this is a signing that Howe has not had much of a role in.
Eddie Howe not involved in Newcastle signing Yankuba Minteh
According to the Athletic, Newcastle manager Howe has not had an active role in bringing Minteh to the North East.
They state that Howe has the final say over first-team incomings and outgoings, but the deal for Minteh looks like it has been orchestrated by Dan Ashworth, who oversees recruitment at every level.
The Toon Sporting Director has a keen eye for talent, as we saw from his days at Brighton. They are still reaping the rewards of his ability, finishing sixth in the 2022/23 Premier League season to secure Europa League football.
They have got a squad full of young players who have rose through the ranks, and the hope will be that Ashworth’s Newcastle signings eventually do the same.
He has already brought in Garang Kuol, who is hyped as one of the most exciting teenagers in world football. Now another hugely exciting teenager is set to sign on the dotted line, with the view to becoming a future star in black and white.
Howe might not have been involved in bringing Minteh in, but the Toon boss will play a key role in his development later down the line.
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