Local reporter reveals four English talents NUFC are tracking - and it sounds like TWO could sign
According to the Chronicle, Newcastle have been tracking young English talents Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Ben Osborn and Marcus Edwards - with the latter two claimed to be 'realistic' targets Benitez could sign at a bargain price this summer.
The report reveals that the club is 'prioritising' a move for a proven midfielder from overseas this summer, however it seems as though we're also scouring the market for some young English talent.
As highlighted by Chris Waugh below, we hold interest in £20m and £30m rated duo James Maddison (Norwich) and Jack Grealish (Villa), however it seems like deals for Ben Osborn (the Forest midfielder we were linked too last year) and Marcus Edwards (the highly-rated Spurs youngster) are more 'realistic'.
Here's a snippet from his latest piece for the Chronicle, discussing our interest in signing young English talent this summer:
"While United are expected to sign a frontline midfielder from the Continent this summer, the Magpies are also watching the domestic market for any young, British talent which may become available.Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is expected to be sold this summer - but Newcastle are unlikely to make a move, despite rating the 22-year-old Englishman. Villa want close to £30million for Grealish, given that more than half of the top-flight’s clubs are chasing him, and Tottenham Hotspur are favourites to land his signature.
"Another sought-after creative midfielder is Norwich City’s James Maddison. The 21-year-old is wanted by Everton, Leicester City and West Ham United too - and, though Newcastle retain a positive relationship with the Canaries having signed Jacob Murphy last summer, £20m-rated Maddison is likely to prove beyond the Magpies’ budget.
"A more realistic target is Nottingham Forest’s Ben Osborn, who Newcastle have watched extensively over the last two seasons. The former England youth international is also wanted by Stoke City, but the Magpies may be tempted to make a move if they believe they can land Osborn at a reasonable price.
"Another talented English youngster Newcastle are thought to be keeping tabs on is Marcus Edwards, who was once described by Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino as a ‘mini Messi’.
"The 19-year-old is expected to leave north London this summer in search of first-team opportunities, with Newcastle joining Ajax and German outfit RB Leipzig on his list of suitors."
It's quite typical of NUFC to be 'interested' in four of them, but only see the two cheaper options as realistic targets. Maybe £20m-£30m is far too much for the likes of Maddison and Grealish, but it stinks of Mike Ashley to only look at those available for at a 'bargain' price?
23-year-old midfielder Osborn bagged 4 goals and 6 assists for a struggling Forest side last season, whilst Edwards - a player Pochettino described as the 'mini Messi' - is a 19-year-old winger set to leave Spurs after 8 goals and 5 assists in their U-23 set up.
