Newcastle United ‘hopeful’ of signing Leeds United talent

Newcastle United are interested in signing Leeds United youngster Finlay Gorman but face competition from Premier League champions Manchester City.

A clip of Gorman recently went viral on social media as the 15-year-old showcased his skills during fixtures at Leeds’ Thorp Arch training base and further afield.

Gorman, an attacking midfielder who primarily operates from the right wing, has appeared in five of the Whites’ under-18s fixtures this season, scoring twice and assisting once. He’s also represented England at under-16s level, with his debut coming aged 14.

The teenager is just under two years shy of his 17th birthday when he will be eligible to sign a professional contract. Currently, he remains on schoolboy terms with the Whites and Premier League clubs are lurking.

As per our sister title the Yorkshire Evening Post, Newcastle are among those hopeful of luring the teenager away from Thorp Arch, however, it is Man City that consider themselves frontrunners in the pursuit.

The Magpies made a number of academy additions in the summer.

On deadline day, Travis Hernes arrived from Shrewsbury Town while England youth defender Leo Sharer joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Irish defender Cathal Heffernan joined from Serie A giants AC Milan, while his countryman Reece Byrne arrived in June. United also won the race for Birmingham City winger Trevan Sanusi.

Meanwhile, Michael Mills of League One side Port Vale, Oldham Athletic prospect Sam Alabi and Kacey Wooster of Southend United have joined the Magpies’ academy ranks at under-15s and under-16s level.