According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United have won the race to sign defender Matthew Bondswell despite interest from Leeds United and West Ham United.
It’s claimed that the Magpies are on the verge of a deal for Bondswell, who became a free agent after leaving RB Leipzig in January.
Bondswell wanted to go back home to England after two-and-a-half years in Germany, with Leeds and West Ham both looking to offer him a return home.
Newcastle have swooped in and beaten the duo to a deal though, and will put him into their Under-23 system before promoting him to the first team.
Bondswell, 18, was highly rated at Nottingham Forest, drawing huge interest from English and foreign clubs, but Leipzig won the race to sign him.
The left back failed to break through with Leipzig though, and after a loan spell with FC Dordrecht, he decided enough was enough with Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
An England youth international, Bondswell still has plenty of untapped potential, and could emerge as a long-term challenger to Jamal Lewis.
This is a major coup for Newcastle given Bondswell’s talent and the competition they have beaten off, though it may be some time before we see the best of him at St James’ Park.
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