Newcastle United’s hopes of signing young talent continue amid links with Sunderland’s Chris Rigg and St Pat’s Athletic talent Sam Curtis.
The Magpies haven’t really placed a keen focus on recruiting for their development squads in recent times.
Dan Ashworth understandably wants to change that and Newcastle have already struck deals with that side of the club in mind.
Jude Smith, Alex Murphy, Jordan Hackett, Charlie McArthur and Amadou Diallo have all arrived in recent months.
Newcastle can’t be done there though and must keep looking for top talents for the future – and a couple of rumours have emerged.
Newcastle want Chris Rigg and Sam Curtis
One came from iNews on Wednesday as they claimed that Newcastle are hoping to secure Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg.
It’s suggested that Everton and Manchester United still want Rigg but Newcastle are trying to raid their bitter rivals.
The report notes that Rigg has been likened to Jordan Henderson by Sunderland insiders and the Magpies are hoping to win the race.
Rigg is only 15 and Newcastle will need to pay compensation, but the midfielder is considered to be an enormous prospect.
The Irish Examiner also report that Newcastle fancy signing St Pat’s Athletic defender Sam Curtis.
Crystal Palace are keen too, but he is only 17 and is likely to stay with St Pat’s until he reaches 18 and can leave for England.
Curtis doesn’t turn 18 until December so he could spend the whole of 2023 in Ireland before heading to England.
The centre back has already played 21 first-team games for St Pat’s and has bagged three assists, even playing in Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Ashworth is really trying to ramp up Newcastle’s recruitment of teenage talents and these recent links to Rigg and Curtis just show that the Magpies are making considerable changes to their plans compared to years gone by.
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