wicked.football

Newcastle United risk losing another of their academy talents for a minimal fee after news emerged of two Scottish rivals targeting one of their prospects.

Newcastle are now building for a brighter future under their wealthy new owners. Plans are already taking shape across all aspects of the club. It will be important for them to keep an eye on the long-term future as well as their immediate situation.

Therefore, they are facing concerns about one of their academy graduates. Joe White is the player in question, given that his contract expires at the end of the season.

White was promoted to professional terms at the age of 17 but is now 19 and yet to feature for the first team in a competitive match. This season, he has been playing for the under-23s. So far in Premier League 2, he has four assists from 10 appearances this term.

He also scored once in the EFL Trophy, doing so in a group-stage win over Mansfield Town.

A midfielder, he will be able to talk to clubs outside England from January if Newcastle cannot sign him to a new contract. They may end up losing him for a minimal compensation fee.

According to the Newcastle Chronicle, suitors are already queuing up for the teenager. He is reportedly of interest to Old Firm rivals Rangers and Celtic north of the border.

In addition, White is being eyed by unnamed clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Eredivisie.

Leeds United are namechecked as a previous suitor from last summer. However, the previous Newcastle regime blocked the deal.

Now, time is running out for the new owners to secure White’s services for the long term.

It is just one of a handful of concerns, with the report also reminding fellow academy graduate Sean Longstaff – who is more established at senior level – is out of contract in 2022.

Pointing back to the club’s loss of Bobby Clark to Liverpool earlier this year, the report shares concerns Newcastle may have about losing some of their brighter prospects as they aim to keep a core for the future.

Howe has five-man transfer wishlist

At senior level, plans will already be taking shape for Newcastle in view of the January transfer window.

They recently confirmed Eddie Howe as their new head coach, marking the first major decision made by their new owners.

Howe can now begin planning for the future as he aims to lead the club out of the relegation zone and towards Premier League safety.

A recent report consequently identified five targets they may be looking at for the January transfer window.

Three of the players came from fellow Premier League clubs: Aston Villa captain Tyrone Mings and Manchester United duo Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard.

Some are doubting whether other Premier League sides will want to do business with post-takeover Newcastle, though.

A deal for Mings seems difficult because of his status at Villa. However, Howe worked with him before at Bournemouth in a spell that didn’t get off the ground due to injuries.

In the Man Utd pair’s case, gametime has been hard to come by this season and they may be seeking new challenges.

Further afield, the report (from Marca) added that Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos were also under consideration.

Sule has shown an interest in joining Newcastle despite having a decent role with Bayern. Kroos, in comparison, wants to stay with Madrid, but a big bid may force his club to decide otherwise for him.

Whatever happens, it will be a busy few months ahead for Newcastle across the whole spectrum.

READ MORE: Sam Allardyce identifies perfect Newcastle transfer for ‘very good’ talent

The post Newcastle fears multiply as interest mounts in top talent after Leeds link appeared first on TEAMtalk.