Newcastle United are reportedly close to signing one of Australia’s brightest young prospects Garang Kuol, a target for Barcelona.
Newcastle United are set to sign teenage wonderkid Garang Kuol. That is according to a report by beIN Sports, who claim the Magpies are on the brink of inking the Aussie prospect to a deal ahead of the January transfer window amid interest from Barcelona.
The 18-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League outfit and will put pen to paper on a four-year deal worth an eye-watering £25,000 per week at St. James’ Park. The player will not cost Newcastle an arm and a leg, with the report stating they will pay a fairly modest fee, which is the pre-existing release clause in his contract that Newcastle are set to trigger.
However, the Mariners will be due “impressive add-ons” if the prodigy hits some easily accessible parameters, while a percentage of future transfer fees has also been inserted into the touted deal. Kuol will remain with the A-League club until the January transfer window and then officially sign for the Magpies before being loaned out to another club in his homeland.
Kuol, who has turned 18, is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the A-League after he took just seven minutes to mark his debut with a well-taken goal last December. He became the Mariners’ youngest-ever goal scorer at just 17 years and 98 days old in the process.
Despite being limited to appearances off the bench, Kuol has scored four times in just 189 minutes of action. He is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the A-League and earned raving reviews from Barcelona boss Xavi after featuring for the A-League All Stars in their 3-2 defeat to La Liga giants back in May, a game in which he hit the woodwork twice.
“He played really well,” said the Barcelona boss before continuing, “He created many chances, almost scored. For only being 16-year-old, that’s unbelievable.”
Kuol comes from a football family, with his elder brother, Alou Kuol, currently plying his trade for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old attacker’s younger brother could follow in his footsteps soon, with a move away from Australia well on the cards for him as well.
Earlier this week, Kuol received a surprise first international call-up for Australia’s double-header with New Zealand. Newcastle are not alone in their pursuit of the exciting forward, with FC Barcelona and Chelsea, among others, keeping a close eye on his meteoric rise.
As it stands, Garang Kuol does not qualify to get a work permit. But after being called up by Australia, he will be granted the necessary paperwork if he makes his debut against New Zealand later this month.
Despite the closure of the summer transfer window, Newcastle United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, and head of scouting, Steve Nickson, remain busy, with the Magpies looking to bolster their young ranks with fresh high-ceiling talent. Rangers’ Cole McKinnon, Motherwell’s Lennon Miller, Sunderland’s Chris Rigg, and Vasco da Gama’s Andrey Santos have all hit the Toon radar in recent weeks.
