---
title: "Newcastle: Rory MacLeod linked with Magpies move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-premier-league-rory-macleod-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2023-01-15T17:35:14Z"
modified: "2023-01-15T17:35:14Z"
---

# Newcastle: Rory MacLeod linked with Magpies move

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) could look to sign exciting Dundee United teenager Rory MacLeod in a bid to improve their youth system, according to Keith Downie.**

### The Lowdown: MacLeod making a name for himself

The 16-year-old is certainly a long way from being a household name currently, but he is considered a [highly-rated prospect](https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/7140/RORY-MACLEOD-SIGNS-PRO-DEAL.html) north of the border.

The teenage centre-forward has already made [six senior appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rory-macleod/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/945909/verein/1519) for Dundee United, earning the [same number of caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rory-macleod/nationalmannschaft/spieler/945909/verein_id/25791) for Scotland’s under-17s.

Newcastle may now have the financial power to bring in big-money signings, but it looks as though they are also focusing on youth, which is where MacLeod comes into play.

### The Latest: Newcastle linked with MacLeod

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88104798-newcastle-rory-macleod-dundee-united-eddie-howe-premier-league-transfer-news-st-james-park), Downie claimed that the Magpies want to sign the Scottish gem amid the club’s overarching efforts to become more competitive at underage level, with the Tyneside club ‘looking at’ a number of potential academy signings.

The [Sky Sports reporter](https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith) said:

> “I think he’s just another one for the youth team. They’re trying to really bulk up the youth side because the academy at Newcastle has been neglected for years.
>
> “What they want to do is just have a more competitive under-23 team and they want to have a more competitive academy and better youth players.
>
> “He’s one of a number that they’re looking at. I heard about that one last week. But he’s certainly not for the first team.”

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/)

### The Verdict: Youth vital at St James’ Park

This is a refreshing approach that Newcastle are taking, considering that they could easily focus on simply signing big-name players who can aid [Eddie Howe](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/eddie-howe/)‘s first team, given the [enormous wealth](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiG0ZLdpcn8AhUIbsAKHS5wDaoQFnoECCsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fnews%2Farsenal-newcastle-united-kroenke-nba-26729279&usg=AOvVaw3msXxb7ZdKRWUXuwoeNo1P) at PIF’s disposal.

It is essential that the Magpies also have a stellar youth system, though, as [other affluent clubs](https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2022/05/26/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2022-real-madrid-worth-51-billion-back-on-top/?sh=622724ca286b) like [Chelsea](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwietIrnpcn8AhXHQEEAHZQtAvIQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetfootball.com%2Fquick-reads%2Fwhere-are-they-now-chelseas-past-academy-player-of-the-year-winners%2F&usg=AOvVaw26pyrnjyChsCOqjnpXxEzx) and [Manchester City](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwilt63ypcn8AhVYQEEAHXr1BiYQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mancity.com%2Fnews%2Fmens%2Fguardiola-manchester-city-homegrown-academy-players-63804905&usg=AOvVaw1kvRLiRpQehj_EAOTfSy1q) have excelled in this regard over the years, producing the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Reece James, to name but a few.

For that reason, MacLeod would be an exciting addition at Newcastle, coming in as an academy player with great potential and either becoming a first-team stalwart one day or potentially being sold on for a hefty sum.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“418867″\]