Newcastle United set to hold talks over 'incredible' winger ahead of summer transfer decision

Newcastle United are set hold talks with Feyenoord over Yankuba Minteh's future next month with the Dutch club keen to bring him back for a second season.

The 19-year-old joined the Magpies from Danish side Odense Boldklub last summer in a deal worth a reported £7million. He was immediately loaned to Feyenoord, where he has scored seven goals in 27 appearances.

Three of those goals have come in the last two Eredivisie matches as Minteh looks to end the campaign strongly. Minteh has had mixed reviews in the Dutch media but manager Arne Slot recently leap to his defence.

“I think that is also the reason why Newcastle United loaned him to us - they, just like us, see a lot of talent in him but he’s not ‘finished’ yet," said Slot. "That is the place we currently occupy in the football pyramid. If he had such an overview of the ball to give every cross, he would have stayed at Newcastle.”

Magpies boss Eddie Howe spoke about the prospect of recalling Minteh in January amid the number of injuries but there was no automatic call-back clause.

A decision has not yet been made on whether Minteh will be part of Howe's first-team plans for the 2024-25 season or go out on loan again. According to Feyenoord technical director Dennis te Kloese, a discussion will take place in April. “Newcastle United will discuss this in April," te Kloese said. "But he’s getting better. His speed is incredible and he is still very young.”

Asked as recently as Friday if a close eye was being kept on Minteh's progress, Howe replied: "Of course. We keep an eye on all of our loan players that are attached to us and on loan.

"We wish them well and continue to monitor their progress always with a view to can they come in and help us in any way. If they can, great. If they can't, we will continue to look to develop their careers in a different way."

Minteh played in the Champions League with Feyenoord and in December scored his first goal against Celtic. A month later, he represented Gambia at the African Cup of Nations.