Report: Newcastle United rival Liverpool for Cian Harries – but they may miss out

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Coventry City’s teenage talent could make the step up in January with Newcastle United and Liverpool potential destinations.

Rafa Benitez sparked excitement on Tyneside when he hinted that Newcastle United could finally welcome a new face through the door ahead of this weekend’s Championship clash with Brentford, per The Chronicle.

But the identity of this mystery man may not raise hopes of an immediate return to form and, eventually, the Premier League. Instead, 19-year-old Cian Harries would be very much ‘one for the future’ although it’s increasingly clear that Newcastle need patching up for the short-term.

Coventry City boss Russel Slade revealed after the Sky Blues’ reserves victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday that scouts from Liverpool and Newcastle were reporting back about the teenage centre-backs progress, per the Coventry Telegraph.

On initial inspection, however, The Reds appear to be the frontrunners for the Birmingham-born defender’s signature. Harries spent a brief period on trial with Liverpool earlier in the season and the Coventry Telegraph report that they are keen to offer him a deal.

However, The Chronicle reports that Newcastle scout Graham Carr was also casting his beady eye over Harries’ progress as The Magpies look to throw a spanner in the works.

Nonetheless, Harries may be better off choosing the Premier League challengers over the Championship favourites.

After all, Jurgen Klopp named Liverpool’s youngest ever starting XI in the FA Cup against Plymouth at the weekend and, as Ben Woodburn, Ovie Ejariah and Trent Alexander-Arnold will attest, the German’s steadfast belief in the next generation can take a budding talent a long way.

Meanwhile, Benitez is hardly short of options at centre-half. If Chancel Mbemba can’t force his way into the XI, what chance an unproven 19-year-old? Furthermore, as recent seasons have shown, Newcastle hardly have the best record when it comes to giving young talent a chance to impress.