Wonderkid who Newcastle held talks with is now signing for Manchester United

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Newcastle United are set to sign Rory Finneran, but another 16-year-old they targeted is heading elsewhere.

The Magpies are aiming to beef up their youth ranks this summer with some major additions, as Rory Finneran swaps Blackburn Rovers for Newcastle United.

Landing the teenage midfielder is a bit of a coup, as Finneran is a huge talent. Newcastle United will have high hopes for him, as they prepare to complete a deal for a player who made his senior debut for Blackburn at the age of 15-years-old.

But while Finneran is on his way to St James’ Park, Fabrizio Romano has provided a disappointing update on another youngster that the Magpies tried to sign.

Newcastle United miss out on wonderkid striker

It was reported earlier this month that Newcastle United had held talks with Chido Obi-Martin, a 16-year-old striker who was on course to leave Arsenal.

The teenager is definitely leaving Arsenal now, but will not be signing for Eddie Howe’s side.

Instead, Obi-Martin is on his way to Manchester United.

That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who wrote on X: “Chido Obi Martin to Man United, here we go! Talented striker leaves Arsenal and he’s just accepted Man Utd proposal. Pathway key for Chido who’s turned down higher bids from Germany to sign for Man United. Project convinced 2007 born top talent to accept #MUFC.”

Newcastle really could have benefitted from Obi-Martin

Obi-Martin has been given a clear pathway to the Manchester United first-team, and it will be interesting to see his progress in the coming years.

It is disappointing to see Newcastle miss out, as the Magpies really need a talented forward who can grow and develop into a first-team star at St James’ Park. If Obi-Martin had moved to Tyneside, there would be a clear path for him to eventually compete with Alexander Isak and possibly even become his successor.

While Newcastle have some talented players in their academy, it has been a long time since a striker came through that could score goals at the top level.

Obi-Martin looks destined to do that, but it will be in the red of Manchester United rather than the black and white of Newcastle.

Newcastle fail to sign another Arsenal youngster as Obi-Martin heads to Man United

With Obi-Martin heading to Manchester United after talks with Newcastle, he becomes the second teenager that the Magpies have failed to sign from Arsenal this summer.

Newcastle were also interested in Amario Cozier-Duberry, and there was excitement when it emerged that he would not be signing a new contract with the Gunners.

However, Cozier-Duberry has signed for Brighton, rather than Newcastle. The Seagulls swooped in, and the 19-year-old has already been making his mark in pre-season, alongside Yankuba Minteh – who Newcastle had to sell to Brighton to solve their PSR situation.