Newcastle have allegedly fought off competition from both Rangers and Celtic to secure their first signing of the January window.
According to the Sun, Scottish prospect Reagan Thomson has agreed a deal in principle to join the Magpies as soon as the window opens in January.
The 16-year-old has being playing first-team football in Scottish League Two for Queens Park, getting the privilege of running out at the infamous Hampden Park every other week.
Allegedly, Newcastle have been eyeing up the youngster for several months and a chance to slip into the club’s reserve team has been enough to convince him to join them rather than local clubs Celtic or Rangers, who both have juicy round of 32 fixtures to look forward to in the Europa League.
The report claims that he is likened to current Scottish star John Fleck, who bagged a brace for his side on the weekend to send Sheffield United to within four points of the Champions League spaces with nearly half a season gone.
United had seen an offer of £35,000 rejected by the League Two side, but they duly upped their offer – something Rangers didn’t fancy doing.
On the whole, this looks like some smart business from the club. With a player already playing nine matches of men’s football this term at just 16, they have a player there who clearly has the temperament of playing beyond his years.
With the added competition of Glasgow’s biggest clubs – especially considering they are so local to the player already – it is a deal which could pay dividends in the future. If not, well, at least they didn’t lose too much money on him; a risk worth taking.
The central midfielder is likely to look at both of the Longstaff brothers and see that if you’re good enough then you will play – so it’s an encouraging sign that he’s bought into that.