Newcastle United are involved in the race to sign Kevin Mantilla with the Colombian talent attracting major interest from the likes of Liverpool.
That’s according to Colombian news outlet Caracol, who claim that a host of clubs are chasing Mantilla’s signature.
It’s claimed that Liverpool, Rangers, Porto, Torino, Vasco da Gama, PAOK and AEK Athens are all interested in Mantilla alongside Newcastle.
The strongest link so far has been with Liverpool.
TMW claimed in February that Liverpool are ready to put €4million (£3.5million) on the table for Mantilla.
There haven’t been many updates since then but it’s clear that Liverpool face a major fight – possibly from Premier League rivals Newcastle.
The Independiente Santa Fe talent appears to have a bright future and a summer move may well be on cards.
Just where Mantilla is going remains up in the air though as teams scramble for his signature.
Newcastle can continue young recruitment strategy with Kevin Mantilla deal
When Newcastle were taken over in 2021, the attention quickly turned to which big names the Magpies could lure to Tyneside.
Newcastle haven’t really taken that approach although considerable money has been spent on the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
The Magpies are being much more patient and are also placing a keen focus on their developmental ranks.
Jude Smith, Alex Murphy, Jordan Hackett, Amadou Diallo and Charlie McArthur all joined the Newcastle setup over the summer.
More can be expected this summer and Mantilla would fit a similar mould.
Mantilla, 19, has only played 28 first-team games for Independiente Santa Fe and would certainly be one for the future.
There are high hopes for Mantilla and lofty Premier League interest at this stage in his career is a sign of his huge potential.
This is a fierce battle for Mantilla but Newcastle may well be willing to commit millions to make sure they have him on board for years to come.
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