Sources: Newcastle United win race to sign highly-rated Manchester City prospect

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Newcastle United are set to pull off another major academy coup as they close in on a midfield signing, HITC Football understands.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have made a remarkable recovery in the space of 24 months as the Geordie side have already had a stint in the UEFA Champions League under new Saudi ownership.

The club off the pitch have been attempting to improve every facility and one of these facilities that they have been trying to develop on is their academy setup.

To that end, sources have told HITC Football that Newcastle have won the race to sign highly-rated Manchester City midfielder Alfie Harrison, who has three goals and three assists for the club’s under-18s this campaign.

Newcastle win Harrison race

HITC understands that Newcastle have now agreed a deal with City after the player opted for a move to the North East. This news comes just hours after it was confirmed that Joelinton required surgery for the injury he suffered against Sunderland in the FA Cup.

‘The midfielder will now commence a period of rehabilitation overseen by the club’s medical team and is expected to return to action in May 2024.

As for Harrison, the English midfielder had a lot of sides interested in him including Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Celtic, Nice, Valencia and Borussia Dortmund – but the Manchester-born teen will complete his move to St James’ Park this week.

18-year-old Harrison has been an impressive part of City’s academy but the talented youth star felt his future is best served away from the Etihad and a host of clubs have been jostling for his signature.

Newcastle’s academy drive

As mentioned, the Geordie side are trying to improve every facet of their club so that they can compete with the Premier League’s big hitters and one of the key aspects of this is youth production.

Recently, the Geordie side have added the likes of Trevon Sanusi from Birmingham City, Alex Murphy from Galway United and Yankuba Minteh fro Odense Boldklub, who is now on loan at Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

Having a production line of academy talent to call upon if needed could be huge for Howe’s side and could well be the key to see them propel up the league table.