EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle battling to sign Baylee Dipepa - but face stiff competition from Man Utd

Newcastle United are battling to sign England youth international Baylee Dipepa as the club continues to invest in their ever-improving Academy.

We can exclusively reveal that club scouts have been hugely impressed by the Port Vale striker, who has not only scored four goals in four appearances for England's U17s, but shone during his breakthrough season with the League One club, where he's found the net twice in his last four starts.

Newcastle are prepared to pay a six-figure sum, but face serious competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who have been in contact over a move for some time. The Red Devils have previous with Dipepa, who played at their development centre at the start of his youth career.

West Ham, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also keen on the teenager, who is represented by the same agent who looks after Michael Mills; the highly-rated winger Newcastle signed from Port Vale last summer.

It's hoped recent moves for Trevan Sanusi and Leo Shahar - two players Dipepa has played alongside for the Young Lions - will encourage the forward to join them on Tyneside, with Alfie Harrison another highly-rated domestic talent to see a pathway to first-team football under Eddie Howe.

Dipepa scored in England U17s 4-0 win over France earlier this week and started alongside Shahar; the 17-year-old right-back Newcastle recently signed from Wolves.

Shahar, like Sanusi, has benefited from playing regular U21 football in the Premier League 2 at an early age and it's hoped Dipepa will be tempted by the same opportunity, despite Man Utd being the current frontrunners for his signature.

Newcastle have also been tracking Port Vale midfielder Liam Brazier and enjoy a good relationship with the League One side.