Report: Newcastle hold talks with Alex Gilliead as clubs eye winger

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Newcastle United are hoping to prevent one of their brightest youngsters leaving St James’ Park this summer.

According to a report from the Chronicle, Newcastle have begun contract talks with Alex Gilliead as they attempt to prevent the youngster leaving the club on a free transfer this summer.

Gilliead is arguably one of the brightest prospects on Newcastle’s books and boasts a significant amount of first-team experience already, having spent time out on loan with the likes of Carlisle United, Luton Town and Bradford City.

The Chronicle reports that the 22-year-old is out of contract this summer and has a number of clubs from the Football League and in Scotland chasing his signature. And that has prompted Newcastle to begin discussions over a fresh deal with the winger.

The Chronicle adds that the Magpies hope to get Gilliead tied down and send him out on loan once again, but they will have to hope that one of the permanent offers does not tempt him into quitting his dream of becoming a first-teamer at St James’ Park.

Gilliead appears to be facing an uphill battle trying to force his way into Newcastle’s first-team given that he is not producing a huge amount of goals and assists out on loan. Nevertheless, it would appear that the best thing he could do is stick with the Magpies for a while longer.

Newcastle want him to get regular first-team football elsewhere after signing a new deal anyway, and remaining on the Premier League side’s books could prove extremely beneficial if Rafa Benitez has a flurry of injuries to cope with at some stage and needs to give some of the youngsters a chance. While he may not be pulling up any trees out on loan, a first-team opportunity may perhaps show that he is the kind of player who prefers the bigger stage.