Newcastle United may have found their latest young talent who could develop into a mega-star.
With the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules limiting how much Newcastle United can spend each window, the Magpies have had to get creative.
PIF have been keen to adopt a transfer strategy where young players are signed to fulfil their potential at St James’ Park rather than splash the cash on ready-made stars.
Vakhtang Salia is set to join Newcastle in 2025 as the latest young signing – he will join the likes of Garang Kuol who joined as a highly-rated youngster in 2022.
Newcastle have already enjoyed success with this strategy after selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton for £33m in the summer. Their latest young target is a striker from Scotland.
Newcastle United want to sign St Mirren striker Evan Mooney
The striker position is one to keep an eye on over the next 12 months. Callum Wilson faces an uncertain future but is unlikely to leave after suffering an injury.
Newcastle have set a £150m asking price for Alexander Isak in the latest attempt to keep hold of the Swedish striker in 2025. The Magpies have been linked to several forwards and it seems club chiefs have one eye on the future with their latest target.
According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle want to sign 17-year-old St Mirren striker Evan Mooney.
The January transfer window only opened on Wednesday and Newcastle have wasted no time in registering their interest in the young Scotsman.
The report claims Newcastle officials have already held “preliminary discussions” with club chiefs at St Mirren as they line up a deal for Mooney.
Newcastle United face competition from Arsenal for Mooney
Mooney only made his senior debut for St Mirren in October, but it seems he has made quite an impression on Newcastle’s scouts.
The Northern Echo report above claims Newcastle’s scouts have been monitoring Mooney closely for months and recommended signing him in January before he becomes an even hotter prospect.
It seems as though Newcastle’s recruitment team have taken that advice on board, but they face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal, who have also shown interest in Mooney.
READ MORE: What Newcastle United sources are saying about signing ‘established name’ this January
Newcastle are now trying to persuade the 17-year-old that he is better suited to a move to Tyneside to work under Eddie Howe rather than to North London.
Newcastle will also compete with Arsenal for Matheus Cunha after both clubs were linked to the Wolves star last month.
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