Newcastle United are looking to improve the quality of their academy options in the summer transfer window, with Paul Mitchell ready to implement his new transfer strategy.
Since his arrival in 2024, sporting director Paul Mitchell has completely overhauled Newcastle United’s approach to recruitment. Instead of signing big-name players like Dan Ashworth did in the past, Mitchell is looking to bring younger players with bigger scope for development to Tyneside with the hope that Eddie Howe can train them to become quality stars in the future.
In January, Newcastle welcomed two young prospects to the club and are preparing for the arrivals of two more this summer.
Kyle Fitzgerald has been exceptional for Newcastle since signing from Galway United in January, he joined alongside 18-year-old Turkish midfielder Baran Yildiz, who came from Turkish second division side Genclerbirligi.
Newcastle confirmed the signing of Vakhtang Salia in October 2024. The striker will officially join the Magpies in August once he turns 18.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are close to signing Antonio Cordero from Malaga. Mitchell worked his magic and persuaded the winger to reject a move to Barcelona and Real Madrid in favour of the switch to Tyneside.
Newcastle have also had their eye on a player who rejected a move to the Magpies in favour of a deal that no Toon fans would have hoped for in 2024. However, a new report suggests they face tough competition from Everton.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Everton eyeing summer move for Chris Rigg amid Newcastle interest
Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg has shown his quality ever since making his debut in the FA Cup aged 15. Rigg nearly joined Newcastle in 2024 when he was eligible for his for professional contract, but opted to stay loyal to the club that took a chance on him in 2017.
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It has been a similar story for Rigg this season; the young midfielder continues to impress in the Championship, even earning himself a call-up to the England under-19s squad earlier this month.
Rigg played alongside Lewis Miley for England, with the Newcastle ace captaining the young Three Lions side against Turkey.
Recent reports have claimed that Newcastle want to sign Rigg, who some may consider as a ‘controversial’ figure given his academy upbringing at the Magpies’ fierce rivals.
According to the Chronicle, Rigg has attracted interest from West Ham and Everton and could be tempted to move away from Wearside if Sunderland fail to win promotion to the Premier League this season.
The report also states that Academy boss Steve Harper also fought ‘tooth and nail’ to bring Rigg to Newcastle before signing his first professional deal with the Black Cats.
Chris Rigg joining Everton could have repercussions for Sean Longstaff at Newcastle
While Mitchell will be busy with signings in the summer, he must also balance his workload to get rid of heavy baggage.
One player who is staring an exit in the face is Sean Longstaff. The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of next season but has fallen out of favour in Howe’s starting XI in recent months, with the younger Miley taking his place in the pecking order.
After failing to move in January, Longstaff has been linked with Everton in the summer – the midfielder is open to a move away.
Reports suggest that Toffee’s boss David Moyes is a big fan of Longstaff, but he could be weighing up his options over who to sign between him and Rigg.
With Longstaff no longer a Newcastle regular and Mitchell looking for players to sell, the 27-year-old could still get a move away from his boyhood club this summer but plans to go to Everton may be thwarted if they opt to bring Rigg to Merseyside.