Scottish teenage sensation Charlie McArthur is reportedly closing in on completing a move from Kilmarnock to Newcastle United this summer.
According to Daily Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath, Charlie McArthur is the subject of interest from Newcastle United over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Magpies are keen to snap up the 17-year-old defender and are close to completing a move for the wonderkid in the coming days.
McArthur, who turned 17 only last month, is considered one of the most talented and promising players in his age group in Scotland, having already made great strides in his fledgling career by recently captaining Scotland’s Under-17 side at the European Championships in Israel and also breaking into Kilmarnock’s first team last season.
The youngster has been impressive in his four appearances for the Scottish Championship winners, one in the league and three in the Challenge Cup. With English clubs’ ability to acquire young players from outside the UK being hampered by Brexit rulings, Scotland’s young talent pool is swiftly becoming an increasingly attractive fishing pond for Premier League outfits.
Owing to his potential, the 17-year-old central defender has garnered interest from a host of other Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Brighton, who had put a reported £275,000 bid on the table. But it appears that the Scotland Under-17 international could be heading to Newcastle United instead.
While there is a justifiable excitement around Newcastle United’s first team transfer activity this summer, manager Eddie Howe and the club’s director of football Dan Ashworth are keen on planning for the future as well. As a result, the Magpies are trying to put up a competent academy setup in place.
Newcastle’s Under-18s side finished bottom of the league last season and were infamously beaten 13-0 at the hands of Manchester City Under-18s, demonstrating the club’s massive negligence under the previous ownership. McArthur has already been praised for his leadership abilities, despite still being in his tender years.
The Scottish sensation himself looks to be ready to take the next step, and a potential move to Tyneside would make sense for the teenager as well. Newcastle, under their new ownership, are eager to replicate, if not exceed, the success of academies of clubs such as Manchester City by investing in their academy.
Should Newcastle get this one over the line, McArthur will become Newcastle’s third summer signing after the arrival of Alex Murphy from Galway United and Matt Targett from Aston Villa, and he will join the club ranks at the start of next month.