Newcastle United and Leeds United ‘monitor’ youngster after Champions League debut vs Liverpool

Glasgow Rangers defender Leon King is the latest promising youngster being considered by Newcastle United.

The Magpies have looked to strengthen the calibre of their younger player and have made several impressive additions to their academy ranks, with Australian forward Garang Kuol becoming the latest signing last month.

The summer signings of Kilmarnock centre-back Charlie McArthur and East Fife goalkeeper Jude Smith show United are keeping a close eye on potential recruits from North of the border.  However, unlike the recently-signed duo, King has shown plenty to suggest he is capable of stepping into the first-team environment.

The 18-year-old made his Rangers debut in a League Cup tie against Falkirk in November 2020 and earned a first appearances in a Scottish Premier League match last year in a 3-0 win at Livingston.

After signing a contract extension in January, King has appeared in five of Rangers’ SPL matches this season and made a significant breakthrough last week when he played the entire 90 minutes of their 2-0 Champions League defeat at Liverpool.

His performance at Anfield earned praise from Rangers team-mate Borna Barisic, as he told The Daily Record: “It is not easy. He is 18 years old. To come to Anfield and play like he played is a very big thing for the club and for him personally. A performance like this can only give him confidence to grow up. There is a long, long way in front of him and a lot of big moments. But I think he can hold his head up after this game and can be very positive.

“He needs to learn that in three days there is another game and he needs to forget this one. He has to take positive things out of the Liverpool game and do things better going forward. But he has a bright future. He is a great lad.”

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested Newcastle, Manchester United and Leeds United have also sent scouts to assess the youngster’s progress and are considering a move as King moves into the final 18 months of his current deal at Ibrox.