Garang Kuol transfer: What Newcastle United’s newest signing has said amid instant loan exit

Newcastle United’s Garang Kuol looks to be preparing for a loan move away from his new club during the January transfer window after he was spotted in Edinburgh this week.

Kuol joined the Magpies on a pre-contract agreement in September after impressing for the Central Coast Mariners and only flew into England in recent days to join up with his new teammates, however he now looks set for a spell away to pick up some vital experience. Despite attracting attention in Australia, the 18-year-old will struggle to make an impact on Newcastle’s first team anytime soon given their recent form. The winger would face competition from the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton, while the Premier League outfit continue to be linked with a number of attackers.

Here’s what you need to know about Kuol’s arrival and departure.

Kuol’s Newcastle arrival

Kuol was signed by Newcastle from the Central Coast as early as mid-September. Though, with the window closed at that point, the forward wasn’t able to officially move until January 1.

The Australian was in high demand, but Newcastle won the race, reportedly paying around £300,000 to make the move happen. Kuol officially became a Newcastle player on Sunday, and he has since arrived on Tyneside.

What the forward has said

Before departing Australia, Kuol was asked about the move to Newcastle. He said: “Oh yeah, I’m buzzing obviously. I can’t wait to get down there (to Newcastle). And (hopefully) hit the ground running.”

Asked about the advice he has received, he added: “Obviously players like Jason (Cummings) and others, they give me pointers and to keep on working hard (when I get to Newcastle), which is what I plan to do anyway.”

Hearts move

With Eddie Howe seemingly keen to get Kuol some regular first team football, Hearts are one name that have been linked with a move and the Australian’s recent social media activity has left a switch looking increasingly likely. Kuol took to his Instagram on Thursday morning to post a picture to his story and tagged the location as Edinburgh - the home of Hearts. He has since been pictured at Hearts’ training facilities as he closes in on a six-month loan deal.

While reports have claimed that United have received numerous offers for their wonderkid, Hearts may have an advantage in the race given Kuol will already be familiar with some of their players. The Scottish outfit already has three Scottish players among its ranks - Nathaniel Atkinson, Cameron Devlin and Kye Rowles, with the latter spending over a year at Central Coast Mariners with Kuol. Given the forward has moved from the other side of the world at only 18 years old, he may favour a move to a club with some familiar faces.

While Newcastle continue to plan for the future with Kuol’s development, they still remain linked with a number of new attackers such as James Maddison, Marcus Thuram and Christian Pulisic. The Magpies’ attacking threat arguably hasn’t quite reached the level of their defensive displays, having played out two 0-0 stalemates in their previous two matches.