Newcastle transfer news: ‘Full package’ eyed and his price tag has halved

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In the PIF era, Newcastle United have largely focused on signing younger players.

Indeed, the transfer policy in play since the takeover has served the club well so far, with Newcastle already looking forward to Champions League football this early into the relatively new era.

While the likes of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood have offered experience at crucial times, the club do not tend to target players past their mid-twenties.

It is something Bruno Guimaraes has praised and rightly so. Those investments are much longer term than simply throwing money at players who do not have much left to give, after all.

Now, the policy could be used again.

Newcastle scout Samuel Iling-Junior and his price tag has dropped

Juventus forward Samuel Iling-Junior has been linked with a move to St James’ Park for a while now.

The 19-year-old began his career at Chelsea before joining the Turin giants in 2020.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Newcastle and Manchester City are across his situation in Italy, with Juve’s financial position perhaps facilitating a move.

“This is a player Juventus would rather not lose by all accounts but might have to because of their financial woes,” he told the NUFC Matters with Steve Wraith YouTube show (43:14).

“That means that a player that perhaps would have had a price tag at around £20m might be available in the market for more like £10m.

“It’ll be a shame for Juventus if it happens because he kind of made his senior debut in Italy last season and was a bit of a plus in a very poor season for Juventus.

“Newcastle have certainly scouted the player, I know that Manchester City are well across the situation as well.”

What is Samuel Iling-Junior’s style of play?

Largely a wide forward, the teenager can play across the frontline.

He made quite the impact in the Champions League on his debut in October, providing two assists against Benfica, albeit his side would still lose 4-3.

Still, that is a hugely promising sign from such a young player.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham academy coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, who trains a number of Premier League and overseas players through his ‘My Football Coach’ business, gave a glowing verdict of the player to the Evening Standard in November.

“Samuel brings the full package to the party, he has got everything,” he said.

“Chelsea are big on physical assets and he brings strength and power but he matches that also with amazing quality technique.

“He is almost like a street footballer with his skill and balance. He brings almost everything to the table. He can play seven, eleven, a 10 or even in central midfield.”