Newcastle United have held talks with Liverpool youngster Remi Savage, Chronicle Live correspondent Lee Ryder has confirmed.

The lowdown

Savage, 19, is predominantly a centre-back but can also play on the left of a four.

He made 19 appearances for Reds' Under-23s in Premier League 2 last season, helping them to a seventh-place finish.

The Liverpool-born defender also has an FA Youth Cup triumph on his CV, having won the competition in 2019.

Savage's contract is due to expire this month, but he's been given the opportunity to extend his stay.

Barry Lewtas, who's overseen Savage at both Under-18 and Under-23 level, hailed him as 'excellent' and picked out his ability to head the ball as well as 'marshall the backline', implying the youngster has the makings of a real leader at the back.

The latest

Ryder delivered a positive update, with 'NUFC sources confirming' that discussions have taken place with the out-of-contract teenager.

The Magpies have rivalled Liverpool by presenting him with a three-year deal, and the move could be confirmed 'soon'.

According to a separate report from The Athletic, Newcastle will have to pay compensation of around £250,000 to the Reds if they make the signing.

The verdict

This is an intelligent move from Newcastle. Savage is clearly a very talented youngster, hence his significant involvement for Liverpool's Under-23s and the club's desire to keep him.

On top of that, they'll only have to pay a very small fee, one which could easily be seen as a bargain a few years down the line, even if they end up selling him on for profit.

You'd expect Savage to remain at Under-23 level for the moment, but don't be surprised to see him handed one or two cup run-outs for the senior team in 2021/22 if he hits the ground running.

Indeed, Newcastle will surely have offered him a clearer and swifter path to first-team football than Liverpool could.

In other news, Ryder also dropped this intriguing insight on the takeover case.