Eddie Howe is keen for Newcastle United to sign another centre-back before the transfer window closes, and the club are about to do exactly that. However, it is a youth addition rather than a senior signing.
The Magpies are looking to get a right-sided centre-back, and have been linked with the likes of Joachim Andersen and Edmond Tapsoba. However, it sounds like financial fair play restrictions might limit Howe to just one more summer signing, and he is also eyeing up a left-back.
But while Howe might just have to work with what he has got in the present, the future is about to look a lot brighter.
Newcastle have made a real effort over the past 12 months to boost their youth options, and spent as much as £6million on Yankuba Minteh earlier this summer.
Now the club are set to bring in another youngster after a successful trial.
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Cathal Heffernan to sign for Newcastle today
It was recently reported that Cathal Heffernan is likely to sign for Newcastle this summer, with the 19-year-old set to become the second player to arrive at St James’ Park from AC Milan after Sandro Tonali.
Now a deal for Heffernan is seemingly imminent.
According to the Irish Times, Newcastle are going to announce the arrival of Heffernan today. They state that the Irish defender impressed during his trial and is now travelling to Tyneside to finalise the move.
Heffernan, who has been described as a ‘powerhouse‘ by former Toon midfielder Stephen Ireland, will hope to follow in the footsteps of Alex Murphy, another Irish defender who has had a summer to remember with Newcastle.
Murphy has been heavily involved with the first-team, and really impressed during friendly wins against Chelsea and Fiorentina. His involvement proved that there is a path from youth setup to first-team.
Heffernan will hope to have the same sort of impact in a black and white shirt, as he prepares to sign on the dotted line today.