Newcastle United have reportedly agreed a deal for wonderkid Yankuba Minteh and are set to make the Gambian youngster their first signing of the summer.
Odense winger Yankuba Minteh is close to sealing a move to St. James’ Park after impressing in the Danish Superligaen this season. That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports the Magpies have been tracking the youngster for much of this year. And they have now moved to secure a deal worth around €7 million for the 18-year-old, who is set to undergo a medical on Tyneside in the next few days.
Newcastle’s qualification for the Champions League next season means they are looking to bring in some marquee signings to bolster their first team this summer. But their long-term plan also involves identifying and adding quality youth players to their ranks before they become costly stars.
The Magpies have already shown a very clear strategy of targeting youth players to strengthen the underbelly of the first team, with their best years ahead of them. They have brought in a host of teenagers, including the likes of Garang Kuol and Alex Murphy, among others. And Minteh falls into the same category.
The teenager moved from his native Gambia only in the summer of 2022 and has been a sensation in Danish football this season. He made his debut on September 10, 2022, as a substitute for Odense Boldklub against Copenhagen and scored the winner only three minutes later.
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Medical are booked, just waiting on the work permit issue to be resolved and then Newcastle will complete the deal. https://t.co/loSFaetzoS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 2, 2023
The 18-year-old winger’s stock has only grown since, with the youngster delivering goals and assists on a regular basis. He has scored six goals and provided seven assists in just 21 games for OB. He has already been involved with the Gambian national senior squad, having been called up for friendlies in November 2022.
Minteh has been left out of Odense’s squad ahead of this weekend’s clash with FC Midtjylland amid speculation that his transfer is imminent. That game is on Saturday. And certainly, the possibility of injury preventing this significant transfer fee is weighing heavily on the decision.
Bjorn Wesstrom, the club’s director of football, revealed, “It is a difficult decision, but with the risks and opportunities in this case, I have concluded that it is overall the best decision for OB that he sit out the match against FC Midtjylland.”
Minteh is now set to make a €7 million move to join Newcastle United, with the transfer tipped to be very close and expected to be announced in the near future.
When questioned about a possible move to Newcastle United and whether he is interested in an interview with Viaplay earlier this season, Minteh said, “Of course I want to go to Newcastle. It is a big club in the Premier League, and they are doing something good. I am ready to take the next step and it will only be good for me.”
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Minteh, if signed, will be Newcastle’s first of a series of development signings expected this summer, with the Magpies keen to increase the depth of talent just below the club’s first team. The 18-year-old winger could even be sent out on loan next season in order to further his development.