Newcastle United have been heavily linked with signing teenage wonderkid Garang Kuol.
The player will turn 18 on Thursday and is due to sign a four-year deal according to reports in Australia but there are also suggestions there is interest from other clubs in Europe. As things stand Kuol does not qualify to get a work permit but after being called up by Australia he would be issued the required paperwork should he appear in a double header against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup.
Kuol - who was born in Egypt before moving to Australia - would stay with his current club Central Coast Mariners for the rest of the season down under until January. A contract offer of £25,000 per week has been reported by beIN Sports this morning.
Newcastle have not commented on the reports so far but it is well known that Dan Ashworth is keen on raising the quality levels at the club's Academy. Even if the deal did go through Kuol could then be sent on loan for the rest of the current season.
“He’s showed great quality and great talent,” Australia manager Graham Arnold said of Kuol. “I truly believe our kids have got it here in Australia and it’s just getting the opportunity.
"Up front is an area of the pitch where we need players. If you have pace and can put the ball in the back of the net. I’m more than prepared to have a look at you.”
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