Newcastle United boost as transfer target set for summer move - club open to a deal

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A Newcastle United target is set to be available for transfer this summer.

Newcastle are among the Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on 17-year-old defender Matthew Orr following his breakthrough into Linfield’s first-team.

Orr scored on his senior debut in Linfield’s Europa Conference League win over Icelandic side Stjarnan in July. A month later, the Northern Ireland youth international was rewarded with his first professional contract.

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Linfield manager David Healy commented: "Matthew is a great young talent with a lot of potential to develop into a top player. He has taken his opportunities and his dedication and hard work have paid off.

“We are excited to see him grow and contribute to the team. He embodies the qualities we look for in a player at this club and I look forward to working further with him on his game.”

Orr has made 20 appearances in total and was the subject of a bid from League One promotion hopefuls Stockport County in January. But according to the Belfast Telegraph, Linfield turned down the offer knowing interest will increase in the summer.

Recruiting players with high potential

While there have been no senior incomings at Newcastle this winter, the recruitment team have focused heavily on signing young players with high potential.

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Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia will join from Dinamo Tbilisi when he turns 18 in August while Republic of Ireland youth international Kyle Fitzgerald last week joined from Galway United.

NewcastleWorld also understands Newcastle are close to signing 18-year-old Turkish winger Baran Yildiz.

Sporting director Paul Mitchell previously explained: “Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.

"We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future.”

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