All the focus at Newcastle United appears to be on new signings, but they may now push to keep hold of youngster Joe White amid interest from other clubs.
This was always going to be a month where Newcastle’s incoming business was front and centre.
With PIF’s financial backing seeing a transfer window for the first time, Newcastle have been involved in incoming transfer rumours every other day.
This time though, it’s a current Newcastle player who is the source of news, with youngster White in the headlines.
The Daily Mail report that Newcastle are set to secure White to a new long-term contract with terms now agreed.
White’s current deal expires at the end of the season and Newcastle may have been fearing losing the 19-year-old talent.
Now though, Newcastle appear to have agreed a new deal with White, managing to secure his future despite the chaos surrounding new signings.
The report claims that White has been attracting major interest from the likes of Chelsea, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Scottish duo Celtic and Rangers both wanted White too, and would have been able to give him a pre-contract agreement.
White is understood to have been in first-team training under Eddie Howe and a first-team debut could be on the horizon.
With one goal and four assists in 13 Premier League 2 games this season, White has been impressing in developmental football.
The challenge now is for White to make the step up with Newcastle, which may get harder and harder over the coming years.
Newcastle are expected to bring in a raft of signings thanks to their new riches, and young homegrown players can sometimes be passed over.
This is generally something Newcastle can improve on anyway. Their youth setup hasn’t exactly been churning out first-team quality players in recent memory.
Even Sean Longstaff, who looked like becoming a star, has faded in recent times.
White will want to prove his worth to Newcastle, and given that interest from elsewhere, this looks to be a very sensible move.
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