Newcastle United want West Ham United target Rory MacLeod as they continue to chase top young talent for the future at St James’ Park.
That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, who has been speaking to Give Me Sport about Newcastle’s transfer plans.
Downie notes that Newcastle are indeed interested in snapping up Dundee United talent Rory MacLeod.
Downie suggests that Newcastle are really trying to add young players for their academy and development sides having neglected that side of the club for years.
MacLeod is on the radar but Downie was quick to highlight that Newcastle don’t view him as a first-team player right now and he would be one for the future.
“I think he’s just another one for the youth team. They’re trying to really bulk up the youth side because the academy at Newcastle has been neglected for years,” said Downie. “What they want to do is just have a more competitive under-23 team and they want to have a more competitive academy and better youth players.”
“He’s one of a number that they’re looking at. I heard about that one last week. But he’s certainly not for the first team,” he added.
Newcastle face West Ham battle for Rory MacLeod
The Sun reported earlier this month that Newcastle lead the race to sign MacLeod ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion.
Yet the same publication suggested over the weekend that West Ham United have joined the race to sign MacLeod.
It’s noted that David Moyes is a big fan of MacLeod and is interested in a £4million swoop for the 16-year-old.
West Ham scouts are preferring to be a little more patient and want to see more of MacLeod before committing that kind of money.
MacLeod was born in Dundee and has been coming up through the Dundee United ranks in recent years.
Dundee United have a decent record of developing young talent like Andrew Robertson, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Johnny Russell.
The hope is that MacLeod can be their next big sale and he has already made three first-team appearances.
MacLeod become Dundee United’s youngest ever played at just 16 years and six days in February of last year.
The striker has picked up one Scotland Under-17 cap too and now has major Premier League interest.
It’s natural that Newcastle don’t see MacLeod as a first-team player right now as he is still cutting his teeth up in Scotland, but they must put together a convincing plan for him to become a first-team star or risk losing him to West Ham.
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