Newcastle United ‘close in’ on third Milan raid with winger ‘ready to fly to the Premier League’

Having completed the signings of Italian international Sandro Tonali and youth defender Cathal Heffernan from AC Milan, Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on another Milan raid.

As per fresh reports in Italy, the possibility of the Magpies sealing a move for 18-year-old winger Kevin Zefi from Inter is growing. Calciomercato claims Zefi “is ready to fly to the Premier League” and “hasn’t trained” with the Serie A club since rumours of Newcastle’s interest emerged.

Zefi was born and raised in Dublin and he was a member of the youth setup at Shamrock Rovers. Whilst playing for the League of Ireland side’s second team, he became the youngest-ever goalscorer in the league’s history.

His impressive form earned him international recognition and Zefi has represented Ireland at Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 level. The teenager’s main attributes are his pace, natural ability on the ball and a daring eye for goal.

Shamrock’s head of the academy Shane Robinson explained: “Kevin is that type of player that catches the eye easily - he backs himself 100 percent in possession of the ball. He has a lovely balance and uses his body very well to protect the ball.”

Zefi completed a move to Inter Milan in the summer of 2021 and whilst he has impressed during his appearances for the under-17s and under-18s, he is yet to make his senior debut for last season’s Champions League finalists.

If a move is complete, Zefi will likely join fellow countryman Alex Murphy, Reece Byrne and Heffernan in the under-21s set up.

Since starting work as Newcastle’s sporting director last summer, Dan Ashworth has implemented big changes to the academy, including the scope in which they have to recruit emerging talent.