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Report: Newcastle aiming to nab Gavin Bazunu after Celtic trial

Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Swansea City a...
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Gavin Bazunu had a trial at Celtic and has been scouted by Liverpool but Newcastle United are reportedly hoping to win the race.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on May 13, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Gavin Bazunu may be just 16 but he is already attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in Britain.

The Irish Sun reported at the start of July that Liverpool were scouting the Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper, who had a trial at Celtic as well earlier in the summer.

And reports from the Chronicle are claiming that Newcastle United are the latest side running the rule over this teenage shot-stopper.

It is understood that Newcastle are keen to shake up their Under 23 set-up due to the lack of talented youngsters coming through the ranks. 17-year-old Yannick Toure is already likely to join from Swiss outfit Young Boys.

Bazunu, however, might be the biggest coup of the lot. The 16-year-old is keeping Northern Ireland international Alan Mannus out of the Shamrock Rovers’ starting XI and remarkably kept four clean sheets in his first four senior games.

Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Alan Mannus attends a public training at their training ground in Saint George de Reneins on June 7, 2016 ahead of the Euro 2016 football tournament.

“Obviously, there is going to be a lot of talk. Everyone is looking at him and rightly so, because he is special,” Rovers manager Stephen Bradley said after Bazunu saved a penalty against Cork City last week.

“He is 16 years of age and he is nowhere near his maturity physically, you can see that. When all that comes and he puts the size on and the strength on, it’s going to be scary what he can do.”

It remains to be seen, however, whether Bazunu will choose to continue his development at Newcastle, Liverpool or Celtic.

A general view of St James' Park during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on May 13, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.