Newcastle scouts are 'closely watching' Aaron Bouwman - 'he has a high ceiling'
Newcastle United are plotting a move to sign Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman, sources have told Football Insider.
The 19-year-old is on Matthias Jaissle's radar as a result of his displays in the Eredivisie since breaking into the Ajax senior team last season, when he made eight league appearances.
So far this season, he has remained a key part of the starting XI, and Magpies scouts are keeping a close eye on his progress with a potential future move in mind.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Newcastle are unlikely to make a move for Bouwman in January as he is seen as a long-term target.
The Netherlands youth international would tick a number of boxes for the Magpies, who have placed an emphasis on recruiting young talents ahead of upcoming windows.
As a result, they are planning to keep tabs on Bouwman's progress at Ajax, and while a move may not be imminent, he remains highly regarded at Newcastle as one for the future.
Could Newcastle make a move to sign Aaron Bouwman?
Football Insider reported on 7 October that Newcastle could make a move for Bouwman in the near future as they see him as the ideal replacement for Fabian Schar.
Schar is among a number of ageing defenders at St James' Park, and the addition of a young, promising centre-back could be exactly what the club needs long-term.
As a result, they are set to keep tabs on Bouwman's progess, and while no move is expected imminently, plans are in place to bring him to the club in the future.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "I would be surprised if they make the move in January, but maybe next summer it could be on the cards.
"Bouwman, as you said, ticks a lot of boxes for the profile of the types of players that Newcastle are now looking at with their recruitment strategy.
"They're looking at young players with sigificant development potential and high ceilings, and Bouwman would certainly fit the bill in that respect.
"He's only 19, starting games for Ajax, so he's a player who is very highly regarded across European football and could be somebody Newcastle view as part of their long-term plans.
"At the moment, I think he's a player Newcastle have been tracking and monitoring, rather than anything being imminent in terms of a move for him."
Which other clubs are interested in Bouwman?
Bouwman's outstanding performances for Ajax have not gone unnoticed, with Newcastle far from the only club to have shown an interest in the teenage defender.
Top clubs from across Europe have taken notice of the centre-back's performance as he has established himself as a regular in the Ajax side over the last 12 months.
Football Insider exclusively revealed last summer that Chelsea have been tracking Bouwman's performances and could look to bring him to the Premier League.
The Blues are alwyas determined to sign Europe's best young players and have been impressed by what they have seen, with scouts joining Newcastle's in Amsterdam.
He missed the entirety of September's fixtures due to an injury blow, but was a regular starter before the break, and is expected to return in front of watching suitors in the near future.