Newcastle United have reportedly won the race to sign England U18 defender Matthew Bondswell.
As reported by The Telegraph, the Magpies are swooping for the teenage left-back after he recently left RB Leipzig.
Bondswell had been in Germany for the past two-and-a-half years after leaving the Nottingham Forest academy.
He never actually ended up making a first-team appearance at the Red Bull Arena, and is now heading for St. James’ Park.
An agreement is in place for him to sign, with Newcastle beating competition from Leeds United and West Ham United, who were both keen (The Telegraph).
It is thought he will go into the U23s squad first to develop before hopefully stepping up to the first-team.
Given he was released by Leipzig, Bondswell can join Newcastle immediately as a free agent.
Bondswell is known for his searing pace, with The Telegraph stating he was a schoolboy sprinter and triple jumper at county level.
One for the future
It would be very surprising if Matt Ritchie didn’t leave the club this summer.
It is likely Newcastle will be needing a bit more cover at left-back/left wing-back so a move for Bondswell makes sense.
While this is positive, one has to remember how hard it’s been for the likes Elliot Anderson and Matty Longstaff to get game time in the first-team under Steve Bruce.
Anyone hoping to see him involved in Newcastle’s relegation battle will likely be disappointed.
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