Newcastle United are preparing to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s best in order to sign the brightest young talents.
Ever since the PIF takeover was completed in 2021, there has been a lot more focus on Newcastle’s academy and youth development than there was under the Mike Ashley era.
The new owners have already invested financially in upgrades to the youth development facilities and the progress is starting to show with Newcastle’s academy climbing up the rankings compared to other Premier League clubs.
Eddie Howe recently praised two “elite players” who graduated from Newcastle’s academy and there are three youngsters on the verge of a first-team breakthrough after impressing coaching staff.
But Newcastle are not letting up in their pursuit of signing the brightest young talent and attention has now turned to a Chelsea starlet.
Newcastle and Real Madrid in race to sign Josh Acheampong
According to The Independent, Newcastle are monitoring 18-year-old Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong.
The report adds that Acheampong has attracted interest from Real Madrid as well as Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham.
The teenage star plays at right-back and could be a long-term replacement for Newcastle if Kieran Trippier leaves in January.
Newcastle were linked with Acheampong in the summer but were never able to get a deal over the line.
Real Madrid are in the market for a new right-back to replace Dani Carvajal and have been linked with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, but are also long-term admirers of Acheampong.
He is described as a “jewel” of Chelsea’s Cobham academy, and the Blues are reluctant to let him leave given that he is held in such high regard by the London outfit.
Newcastle are well-stocked at right-back
It is promising to see Newcastle monitoring so many young talents as they look to build a world-class squad for the future, but the Magpies are already well-stocked at right-back.
Even if Trippier leaves in January, Newcastle have Tino Livramento in that position and the 21-year-old is already claiming the starting spot as his own.
Howe hailed Livramento as “amazing” and is starting to put more and more faith in Newcastle’s £32m signing this season.
Behind Livramento is the extremely promising Leo Shahar, who is the perfect replacement for Trippier.
Shahar has already been involved in first-team training and is pushing to break into Howe’s plans after shining in the academy.
As good as Acheampong may be, Newcastle are better off looking at investing in other positions.
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