The Magpies are edging closer to a deal for exciting winger Johan Martinez
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe watches training with performance director James Bunce (left) and sporting director Ross Wilson
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe watches training with performance director James Bunce (left) and sporting director Ross Wilson(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United are believed to be on the brink of signing Ecuadorian teenager Johan Martinez.
The 17-year-old's transfer from Independiente del Valle to Newcastle is believed to be 'very close' tonight. The two clubs are putting the final touches to the deal, and once the youngster reaches 18, the move will go through.
Chronicle Live understands that United's recruitment department are thrilled with the deal. As reported by Chronicle Live earlier this month Thomas Federspiel is now Newcastle's main talent spotter on the ground in South America.
This could be the first of many under-the-radar deals for the Magpies as they look to bolster their youth ranks with talent from that particular region. Federspiel was one of sporting director Ross Wilson's first appointments after coming in from Nottingham Forest and bringing the City Ground scout with him.
Speaking on the club's recruitment policy, Wilson said: “Moving forward, we definitely want to expand our recruitment network. We’ve already done that, to be honest, in my time here. We’ve already expanded the recruitment network. We’ll continue to do so as we move forward.
“I think it’s also clear that we feel that it’s highly likely, not always, but highly likely that there’ll be more value outside of the Premier League than there is in it.."
Toon head coach Eddie Howe is also a great believer in developing talent, he said: "The work goes on every day, and I see that at first hand. I try to be quite active in terms of building relationships with the people at the Academy.
"I know Steve Harper is leading that team really, really well. I think we are lucky we have passionate people who care about player development. They care about all the young players and give them the best opportunities to express themselves in the right way."
Howe said the aim was always to bring stars through the system but warned: "We'd all love a few more Lewis Mileys, but if it were that easy, every club in the country would be doing it.
The deal for Martinez is yet to be confirmed by United despite reports from South America claiming it is done in principle.
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