Newcastle United are reportedly ready to sanction a loan exit for youngster Matthew Bondswell with League One clubs Porstmouth and Sheffield Wednesday keen.
According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, Newcastle United youngster Matthew Bondswell is set for a loan move away from the club in January, with EFL League One clubs Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday emerging as frontrunners for his signing.
Bondswell started at the academy of Nottingham Forest and moved to RB Leipzig’s youth setup in 2018, snubbing interest from top English clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool. However, having failed to make the grade at the Bundesliga club, the 19-year-old left-back returned to England earlier this year, signing for Newcastle United, after a short loan stint at FC Dordrecht.
Bondswell has featured regularly for the Magpies Under-23 side this season, racking up 13 appearances across all competitions, chalking up two assists to his name as well in the process. Held in high regard within the club, the teenager is yet to make his official first-team debut, although he did feature in friendlies during the pre-season.
With Jamal Lewis and Matt Ritchie ahead of him in the pecking order and Newcastle also targeting a January move for Lucas Digne, a pathway to the senior side looks difficult for Bondswell right away.
So, the Tyneside outfit are ready to sanction a loan exit for the 19-year-old in the January transfer window to help him gain first-team football experience. And, as per the report, it is League One clubs Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday that are leading the race to sign the former England Under-18 international.
Both teams are in the hunt for a playoff finish in England’s third division, with Sheffield Wednesday currently in the seventh position, only two points shy of Oxford United in sixth. Meanwhile, Portsmouth are just a point, and a place below the Owls in the standings and both teams are keen on strengthening their defensive ranks to make a push for the top-six in the second half of the campaign.
A move to the third division might not be entirely appealing, but regular game-time at the first-team level would benefit Bondswell in the long run. With Newcastle giving the green light for a loan move, it now remains to be seen who among the two teams come out on top in the race to sign the 19-year-old.
