Fabrizio Romano has revealed on the Here We Go podcast that Newcastle United and Leeds United have recently been scouting 18-year-old Rangers ace Leon King.
Following the appointment of Dan Ashworth at Newcastle, the Magpies have certainly started to target their youth ranks and build for the future, with the likes of Garang Kuol and Alex Murphy joining the club recently.
And that doesn’t appear to be stopping, with Romano confirming that they have recently been scouting Rangers teenager King, who has already played in the Champions League for the Gers, so looks to have an abundance of talent.
Romano confirmed that the Magpies had recently scouted King, alongside fellow Premier League sides.
He said: “I was speaking about talents and this boy playing for Rangers, born in 2004, he was a starter at Anfield against Liverpool in the Champions League. I’m told that Premier League, and in general, European clubs, are pushing to sign him because he’s out of contract in summer 2024 with Rangers.
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“At the moment, the situation is absolutely open on his contract. Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester United have sent their scouts to follow this boy with Rangers, and so Leon King – one to watch.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s interest in King…
The Rangers youngster is still just 18, but the fact he was handed a starting berth away to Anfield in the Champions League shows not only how much talent he must possess but also how mature he is for his age to be trusted in such a high-profile game in a volatile atmosphere.
There appears to be a very clear new way of thinking with Newcastle’s recruitment department following the arrival of Ashworth, who is looking to implement what he did at Brighton, where he got players such as Jakub Oeder, Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo into the first team.
It would be a smart signing if Newcastle could pull it off as he would be someone that’s clearly ready for some first-team football exposure as things stand, but could also be a long-time successor for either Fabian Schar or Dan Burn.
But with the likes of Leeds United – a club who have signed many youngsters in recent years – also interested, there could well be a fight for his signature as Rangers fight to keep their man.