Newcastle United consider move for Manchester United free agent amid contract U-turn

Newcastle United are showing interest in Manchester United midfielder Ethan Galbraith - according to our sister title ManchesterWorld.

The 21-year-old’s contract at Old Trafford expires this summer with Man United set to pass up on the option of triggering a 12-month extension. They feel there is little chance of recouping a significant fee on Galbraith, whose wages would also increase with an extension.

As a result, the Northern Ireland youngster is set to walk away for free at the end of the campaign and Eddie Howe’s Magpies are among the interested parties. It’s likely he’d be sent out on loan next season if he were to move to St James’ Park.

Championship clubs Stoke City and Sunderland, plus League One outfit Derby County are also monitoring his situation, though no concrete offers have emerged yet. It’s understood Galbraith favours a move that will see him play regular first-team football at this stage of his career.

The central midfielder joined Man United aged 15 and progressed through the youth ranks. His only senior appearance to date came off the bench in a 2-1 Europa League loss to Astana in November 2019.

Galbraith is currently on loan at League Two side Salford City, where he has scored four times in 32 appearances. The player also spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Doncaster Rovers, where he made 36 appearances.

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