Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - February 11, 2023. Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe arrives at the stadium.
Newcastle United have reportedly made contact over the potential signing of young Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Stephen McMullan this summer.
The Lowdown: McMullan profiled
McMullan is a rising star in Irish football, having been capped by both Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at youth level.
He is yet to make a first-team appearance for Fleetwood Town, but has played twice in the FA Youth Cup, keeping two clean sheets, and made ten appearances for Northern Irish side Warrenpoint Town FC (Transfermarkt).
The Latest: Newcastle interest
As per The Sun, Newcastle are keen to poach McMullan from Fleetwood, and Toon chiefs have already ‘made contact’ over a potential move.
They hope to offer the 18-year-old a path into the first team, but he could draw a bidding war with other clubs this summer.
Fleetwood’s academy head Jack Higgins rates McMullan highly, calling him a ‘great character’ who is ‘very self-motivated and determined’.
The Verdict: Get it done
The Magpies already have four goalkeepers in their senior squad, but three of them are in their 30s, while Loris Karius will turn 30 in June.
Thus, a younger option between the sticks will be needed for their long-term project, and McMullan fits the bill.
Hailed as a ‘really exciting‘ player by Higgins, he certainly has a bright future ahead of him, and has already shown his qualities as a goalkeeper, with journalist Josh Bunting noting his ‘absolutely sensational‘ shot-stopping while playing in the Irish league.
Nonetheless, there is expected to be plenty of interest in him this summer, so the Tynesiders need to wrap a deal up fast.
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