Newcastle United undoubtedly have loads to play for within the the rest of the marketing campaign with Champions League qualification nonetheless very a lot of their grasp, though the Magpies hierarchy are doubtless already plotting methods to strengthen this summer time, forward of one other high 4 success subsequent season.
For all the need for rapid success, the current seize of 22-year-old Anthony Gordon on a £45m deal from Everton appears to indicate that supervisor Eddie Howe can also be trying to make investments for the longer term, with the Englishman eager to bolster his ranks with promising younger expertise.
Current stories have prompt that the Tynesiders may effectively be on the right track to proceed that development by snapping up one other thrilling gem, with The Mirror reporting on the finish of final month that the North East facet are retaining tabs on Bristol Metropolis star Alex Scott.
The report described the 19-year-old playmaker as attracting curiosity from throughout the Premier League because of his excellent shows within the second tier of late, with the St James’ Park outfit poised to “enter the race” to signal {the teenager} as he “suits the profile” of the kind of participant Howe and co are concentrating on.
The budding star – who has been labeled ‘Guernsey Grealish’ as a consequence of his resemblance to the Manchester Metropolis man – was beforehand the topic of curiosity from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, albeit with the Robins. £25 million asking value apparently paid for the transfer.
That collapse has opened the door for Newcastle to swoop on this summer time, with the hope that the teenager can emulate the success of one other man who has swapped Bristol for the North East – Andy Cole.
Who might be Newcastle’s subsequent Andy Cole?
Having been plucked from Aston Gate in a £1.75m deal in March 1993 – having began his profession on the books at Arsenal – Cole went on to show an prompt hit throughout his comparatively quick keep on Tyneside.
The prolific Englishman set the tone for what was to observe after scoring on debut in a 4-0 win over Notts County, earlier than occurring to attain 12 targets in complete on the finish of the 1992/93 marketing campaign to assist the membership again into within the high flight.
That step up was finally no downside for the Nottingham-born hotshot as he scored 41 targets in all competitions in his first – and solely – full season at St James’ Park, along with his 34 Premier League targets nonetheless the very best. match in a single marketing campaign within the competitors’s historical past – alongside Alan Shearer.
That wonderful kind – which noticed the ruthless marksman rating 9 league targets initially of the 1994/95 season – then led to Cole being snapped up by rivals Manchester United in January 1995, and went on to win a number of main honors throughout his glittering spell at Previous Trafford.
Though the younger Scott has a barely deeper function than the now-retired ace, the idea might be that he can show simply as influential if a deal might be agreed within the coming months, with the England Beneath-20 worldwide having already proven his class. within the championship this season.
The highly-coveted asset has offered a good tally of 4 assists in his 34 league begins from his playmaking, midfield place this season, whereas exhibiting his capability to speculate defensively as he has averaged 2.2 tackles per recreation in that point. .
It was {the teenager}’s show within the current FA Cup defeat at dwelling to Man Metropolis that basically introduced himself to a wider viewers, however after being labeled as “high, high expertise” by his idol Jack Grealish because of his breathtaking efficiency.
Scott “definitely did not look misplaced” in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s heavyweight outfit – in accordance with Bristol Stay’s Richard Forrester – after finishing 5 of his six tried dribbles on the evening, whereas recording a complete of 11 tackles after exhibiting no indicators of nerves in opposition to such. elite opposition.
The exceptional outing has proven that the Bristol sensation, like Cole, ought to have the ability to step as much as the highest flight comfortably if he’s to hitch Howe’s facet within the close to future.