Exclusive: Newcastle open talks to sign Arsenal forward starlet

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Published on:

16 Jan 2020, 4:42 am

Newcastle United have opened talks with Arsenal over signing rising star Alfie Matthews, Football Insider can reveal.

The north-east giants are working on a deal to recruit the young forward, 18, in the current transfer window.

A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that discussions are underway with Arsenal over a potential deal for Matthews and they are ready to table an offer.

Matthews is believed to be out of contract at the north London giants at the end of this season.

This has provided an opening for Newcastle to swoop in and try and recruit him this month.

Arsenal face the prospect of losing the teenager, who has been a regular for their Under-18s this season.

He has made seven starts among 10 appearances for the age-group side in this campaign, which have yielded two goals.

Versatile enough to play in the centre-forward role as well as anywhere behind the main striker, Matthews was also named on the bench for a Premier League 2 match earlier in the campaign but did not play for the Under-23s.

Newcastle's pursuit of Matthews comes at a time when they are also working to reinforce their senior side.

Steve Bruce's team reached a loan-to-buy agreement last week with RB Leipzig over the signing of winger Ademola Lookman but have not yet been able to finalise the deal amid a series of complications.

In other Newcastle United news, Kevin Phillips has ripped into the club over their handling of talks with rising star in this Football Insider EXCLUSIVE.

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