Newcastle United are closing in on their fifth summer signing and it is one for the long term.
The Tyneside club have enjoyed short-term success since their Saudi Arabian-backed takeover with Eddie Howe leading the club to Champions League qualification.
But make no mistake, the project at St James’ Park is a long-term one and that is reflected in the club’s transfer business.
Newcastle United have not looked to sign ready-made stars since their takeover and instead have reached into their pocket to invest in younger players with lofty potential.
That is certainly the case with their latest deal for Rory Finneran. HITC revealed on Tuesday that Newcastle have beat Liverpool and Manchester United to Finneran’s signature.
An agreement between both clubs is in place and Finneran is now expected to join Newcastle’s project.
Who is Rory Finneran?
Rory Finneran might be an unfamiliar name among the Newcastle fanbase, but there are still plenty of reasons for supporters to get excited about their latest signing.
Finneran, born in 2008, is an Irish midfielder who has spent his entire career at Blackburn Rovers where he ended up becoming their youngest-ever debutant.
At the age of 15 years, 10 months and eight days, Finneran came off the bench in Blackburn’s third-round FA Cup tie against Cambridge United in January.
He only made a one-minute cameo in the senior team but he played a much more pivotal role in their Premier League 2 campaign as well as with the Under-18s.
Finneran is held in extremely high regard at Blackburn, especially with former manager Jon Dahl Tomasson who gave him his debut.
After the full-time whistle, Tomasson said “Rory has very good quality on the ball, great vision. He is still only 15, very young, but it was a good moment to give him a nice experience and I think he will keep smiling for the next weeks, he has a lot of potential.
“He can play with his left and right foot, he can see things that other people can’t, he needs to develop a lot but I know he has a good attitude.
“Every day is an opportunity to become a better player, you need the hunger to get better, that’s the attitude you need to be a top player.”
A future gem for Newcastle United
With financial rules capping Newcastle from spending their endless wealth in the transfer market, the club are taking a long-term approach and investing in youth.
Deals for Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali have set Newcastle up with a group of players that have another decade at the top of their game.
As revealed by HITC, Newcastle are continuing that trend as they close in on a £35million deal for 22-year-old AC Milan star Malick Thiaw.
READ MORE: Manager reveals he told £25m ‘warrior’ to snub Newcastle United and Aston Villa this summer
Finneran is by no means ready to be thrust into the first-team at St James’ Park but he has already proven that he has got a good mindset to keep progressing and work his way through the ranks.
Eddie Howe has proven that he is ready to put his faith in youngsters when they are ready and Finneran is certainly a player he will be keeping his eyes on.
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