Newcastle United are making increased efforts to sign Hamilton Academical’s highly-rated youngster Lewis Smith, according to Football Insider.
Smith has established himself in the Accies’ first-team this term after breaking into the senior fold last season, making his Scottish Premiership debut from the bench away to Hibernian in February aged 18 years, 11 months.
The versatile midfielder – fielded in six positions this season – is naturally an attack-minded option and has contributed to seven goals in all competitions thus far this term, four scored and three assisted.
Smith’s efforts have begun to spark a lot of interest from Hamilton’s rivals, while Newcastle hope we can steal a march on their potential pursuits by increasing our efforts to secure the skilful teenager’s signature in January.
Magpies chiefs are understood to see great potential in the Scotland U21 international, and will lodge an offer next month to see how strongly Hamilton will fight to retain the young star who is being courted by numerous clubs from England.
Where do we need to improve in January?
Goalkeeper
Defence
Midfield
Forwards
Smith is currently sidelined with a knock that meant he could not feature against St. Johnstone on Boxing Day or Motherwell at the weekend, though had started 14 of his 17 appearances for the league campaign and played until at least the 80th-minute in eleven of his opening outings.
Crystal Palace midfielders James McArthur and James McCarthy both began their careers in the Hamilton academy, and have now amassed 501 Premier League appearances between them.
In other Newcastle United news, the club are in talks with a £15million man.