Sources: Newcastle close to signing starlet Mavididi after Arsenal exit
Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of rising star Shaun Mavididi following his exit from Arsenal, Football Insider has learned.
The teenager was released by the London giants earlier in the year and then headed to Newcastle for a trial.
A United source has told Football Insider than Mavididi has been offered a two-year scholarship deal, which would then be converted into a one-year professional contract.
The package spread across three years comes after Newcastle coaches were impressed by what they saw of the young attacker.
He played for Newcastle in a Under-18s matches in February and caught the eye with his performances.
Mavididi is set to head to the north-east if he accepts the deal on the table from the relegation-threatened Premier League club.
The youngster would initially link up with the Newcastle academy before trying to make an impression at first-team level.
Mavididi's brother Stephy, 22, was also on the books of Arsenal in his teens before joining Juventus in 2018 for around £1.3million.
Capped by England at Under-20 level, the striker did not make a first-team appearance for the Gunners but has blossomed since his departure.
He joined French top-flight outfit Montpellier last summer for £5.5million and has scored nine Ligue 1 goals this season in 29 appearances.
This comes after a breakthrough campaign on loan at Dijon last term when he netted eight goals in 28 matches for the top-flight club.