Chairman confirms Newcastle United visit ahead of expected bids for England U20 star

Peterborough United owner Darragh McAnthony has revealed Newcastle United scouts have visited his club amid reports of interest in Posh defender Ronnie Edwards.

The 20-year-old centre-back has become one of the hottest properties in the EFL after joining Peterborough from National League club Barnet in the summer of 2020. Since making that move, Edwards has made over 90 appearances for the Posh and his form earned him a maiden call-up to the England Under-19s squad in October 2021.

Further international recognition followed when Edwards progressed into the England Under-20 setup last year as he appeared alongside the likes of Chelsea star Carney Chukwuemeka and Juventus youngster Samuel Illing Junior in wins against Chile and Australia.

Edwards progression has led to interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs and Newcastle are believed to be monitoring the youngster’s progress. Speaking on the Hard Truth Podcast, Posh chairman McAnthony revealed his is expecting three bids from Premier League clubs and gave an insight into how he views the interest in one of his prize assets.

“We have to be reactive, the one Ronnie Edwards will be the same thing,” he told the Hard Truth Podcast.

“We know, factually, three Premier League clubs will be making a bid but what they aren’t going to do is sign him before signing other targets. Again, it’s a case of, to your fans in the Prem(ier League), if you’re signing a player of that age from lower leagues, it’s like ‘jeez’. No, that’s going to come down the line.

“But boy, oh, boy, he’s one a different level. Forget the media hype, he is on a different level. My biggest gutter is my beloved club are never at our games. I could show you a list of scouts from our 21s game yesterday. It was Man United, it was Chelsea, Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle, Brighton, Bournemouth. My Liverpool, not there.”

Former Sunderland manager hails Magpies new boy

Sandro Tonali has received praise from former Sunderland and Leicester City manager Martin O’Neill after shining on his Newcastle United debut.

The Italy international marked his competitive bow with a goal and a fine all-round performance in last weekend’s 5-1 home win against Aston Villa as he showed why the United hierarchy were so determined to land his services in a reported £60million deal from Serie A giants AC Milan.

Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Neill said: “Sandro Tonali – you mentioned before in terms of the amount that he’s cost them £55million, only half the fee that’s been paid for a number of central midfielders or defensive midfield player. Sometimes Tonali calls himself a defensive midfield player even though he scored a goal. He actually likens himself to the old warrior Gattuso from some years ago.”