Newcastle United close in on double swoop as transfer fee and terms agreed

Newcastle United are ‘putting the finishing touches’ to sign Port Vale youngster Michael Mills, according to a report.

As well as signing players for Eddie Howe’s Champions League-bound first team, the Magpies are committed to strengthening its academy ranks.

Last summer, United won the race for exciting talent such as Alex Murphy from Galway United and Charlie McArthur from Kilmarnock. And, according to Football Insider, they’re closing in on another top prospect.

Mills, after impressing on trial, has agreed terms on a scholarship deal after Newcastle reached a £200,000 agreement with the League One club.

The 14-year-old is set to follow Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh through the door at St James’ Park. Minteh is expected to complete his £6million move from Norwegian club Odense Boldklub in the coming weeks.

Unlike Mills, Minteh, 18, is set to go out on loan next season and take a similar developmental pathway to Garang Kuol, who moved to Tyneside from A-League side Central Coast Mariners in January before going on loan to Hearts.

Over the last six months, the club’s academy has undergone a major transformation following the appointment of 13 new staff members.

Paul Midgley (Head of Head of Youth Recruitment) and Paul McLaren (Head of National Youth Scouting 13s to 18s) have joined from Manchester City, while Edward Black (Lead Academy Scout U9s to U14s), Delroy Ebanks (Academy Lead Scout for the South of England), Andy Basterfield (North West Regional scout) and Claire Burrows are among those to join from Arsenal, West Ham, Manchester United and Leicester City, respectively.

Staff promoted from within are Paul Baker (Lead North Scout), Glenn Craggs (Head of Local Recruitment), Drew Beardsley (U5-U11 Recruitment Officer) and Michael Hutchinson (U9-U14 Assistant Local Professional Club Scout). Other employees are Dean Edwards (North West West Regional scout), Amos Mukiza (Midlands Regional Scout), Ross Thorpe (Midlands Regional Scout), Abdul Habib (London/ South East Regional Scout), Dan Risk: (London/ South Regional Scout) and Andy Gill (South West Regional Scout).