Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
George Bennett

Newcastle United transfer rumours as Magpies target A-League teenage sensation, Diogo Costa scouting trip

Your Newcastle United transfer round-up for Tuesday, August 6.

Newcastle join race for A-League teenager

Newcastle have emerged as one of a number of clubs interested in signing Central Coast Mariners teenager Garang Kuol in the January transfer window, according to Australian outlet The Age. The 17-year-old is expected to leave the A-League outfit with clubs from the Netherlands, Germany and England monitoring his progress, including FC Barcelona and Chelsea.

READ MORE: Gary Neville defends 'very good' referee standards after being asked Newcastle VAR question

Kuol was presented his debut towards the end of the 2021/22 A-League campaign and scored his first goal in a 5-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix. The centre-forward concluded the season with four goals in eight appearances - averaging 2.48 goals every 90 minutes.

The Magpies are reportedly 'close to the front of the queue', although Kuol has held negotiations with Barcelona. The Spanish heavyweights were impressed by his performance in Barcelona's 3-2 victory over A-League All Stars in May, after Kuol came off the bench after 57 minutes.

Magpies eye Diogo Costa

Newcastle United went to watch FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa in action for the Portuguese national team against Spain in June, according to Jornal Do Noticias. The Magpies are considering Costa as a possible target for the January transfer window.

The report adds that Costa could be set for a departure this winter. Costa has a release clause of £51.9million, although he is currently valued at £21.6million. Nick Pope has quickly established himself as Newcastle's number one, while Martin Dubravka's loan move to Manchester United has left Eddie Howe with three senior goalkeepers.

Costa conceded an average of 0.67 goals per game in the Primeira Liga last season and registered 15 clean sheets - a record only bettered by Sporting CP keeper Antonio Adan (17).

The 22-year-old, who has five Portuguese caps under his belt, has already kept three clean sheets in his five league outings this term.

Maitland-Niles was 'keen' on Newcastle move

Arsenal refused to allow Ainsley Maitland-Niles to join Newcastle on loan, according to The Telegraph. Maitland-Niles was reportedly 'keen' on a move to St James' Park but joined Southampton on transfer deadline day after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.

The report adds that Chelsea also refused to do business with Newcastle. The Blues reportedly rejected bids for Armando Broja, Christian Pulisic and Conor Gallagher.

The trio remain at Stamford Bridge despite being heavily linked with a move away, while the Magpies ended up forking out a club record fee of around £60million to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.

READ NEXT

VAR explanation, Newcastle United's treble boost for West Ham and quiet progress

Premier League to review controversial VAR calls including disallowed Newcastle goal

Allan Saint-Maximin shares encouraging Newcastle injury return update

'Incredible' former Newcastle defender gives 'big mention' to fans after deadline-day exit

Matt Targett being monitored by England and Scotland as he admits he is torn between nations

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.