Newcastle United will reportedly give Josef Yarney a chance to shine this summer.
According to The Chronicle, Chancel Mbemba’s potential move to Porto means Rafael Benitez has called youngster Josef Yarney up for first-team action with Newcastle United.
The Magpies have had a fairly quiet summer so far, and manager Benitez may need to offload some fringe players before he is able to pounce for more new signings.
Defender Mbemba has allegedly agreed terms with Porto ahead of a move to the Estadio do Dragao, and Newcastle may look to bring in a replacement once the DR Congo international has moved on.
Yet for now, Newcastle can’t agree a fee with Porto, and The Chronicle now report that Benitez has decided to call up youngster Josef Yarney to the first team in the meantime.
That means that Yarney, 20, will have the chance to train with the Newcastle first team and feature in pre-season action, in the hope of convincing Benitez that he doesn’t have to go out and sign a replacement for Mbemba.
Yarney joined Newcastle on a free transfer last summer after being allowed to move on by Everton, and he spent the season as a regular with the Newcastle second string.
Benitez has rarely promoted players into his first-team reckoning during his time with the Magpies, but Yarney now has a chance to impress and show that he can offer suitable cover for Florian Lejeune, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
