Exclusive: Newcastle United departure expected in coming days

Newcastle United youngster Dylan Stephenson is facing a major decision on his future as he enters the final six months of his current deal at St James Park.

The 21-year-old forward has spent the last seven years at the United academy, scoring goals with regularity as he worked his way his way through the Magpies youth setup and earning an opportunity to train with Eddie Howe’s senior squad over the last 18 months.

Stephenson’s progression was also rewarded with a first-team debut as a late substitute in a pre-season friendly win over Serie A club Atalanta in August 2022 and he bagged a first senior goal in a mid-season friendly hammering of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

That led to speculation Stephenson was being readied for the first loan move of his career and the young forward admitted he wanted to follow the example set by fellow Magpie Elliot Anderson by making an impact away from Tyneside.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with NewcastleWorld in January last year, Stephenson said: “You see other players that go out and they get the experience, they come back and they are like a totally different player.

“Elliot (Anderson) is an example of that, he went out on loan to Bristol Rovers, he shined there, and he came back a much better player and look where he is now. He’s the one I do look up to because I’ve played with him from under-15s all the way through until he started being up there (with the first-team squad) all of the time. (I) definitely want to go out on loan to get experience and experience men’s football, see what it’s like. Obviously I had a bit with the Papa John’s Trophy but you want to be surrounded by men’s football and everything that comes with it.”

A loan spell with Scottish Championship club Hamilton Academical was completed just days later and Stephenson netted his first competitive goal at senior level in a 1-0 debut win at Partick Thistle.  That would prove to be the only goal of his time at New Douglas Park and he returned to Tyneside during the summer to feature in several friendlies for the Magpies Under-21s.

With no sign of talks over a new deal in sight, United are believed to be open to allowing Stephenson to move elsewhere on loan for the remainder of the season and effectively bring an end to his time with his boyhood club.

NewcastleWorld understands several Scottish Championship, National League and National League North clubs have registered an interest in the Magpies youngster, with Hartlepool United recently adding their name to a growing list of possible suitors. Talks with several clubs have taken place over the last fortnight and there is an expectation Stephenson could make a firm decision over his future and leave Newcastle by the end of the week.