Newcastle 'closing in on' first signing of the summer, already 'exploring options' to loan him out

Newcastle United are closing in on their first transfer of the summer and they are already exploring options to loan him out.

The Magpies produced a stellar campaign in the Premier League, finishing in fourth place to secure Champions League football for next season.

Having booked their spot in Europe's premier competition for the 2023/24 campaign, the Saudi-backed club will now look to recruit new talent.

Naturally, they've been linked with a host of superstar names; from Leicester City's James Maddison to Joao Felix, who cost Chelsea almost £4 million per goal.

But Newcastle have set their sights on a youngster as their first piece of business this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the St. James' Park outfit are on the verge of completing the signing of 18-year-old starlet Yankuba Minteh.

The Gambian winger is set to join on a permanent deal from Odense in a deal worth €7 million (£6 million), pending a work permit.

A medical will take place soon, per Romano, who also claims Newcastle are already exploring options to loan out Minteh once he seals his switch.

Minteh moved the Danish club in the summer of 2022, scoring four goals in 17 appearances since moving to Europe.

Newcastle are clearly recruiting Minteh for the future and look likely to splash the cash on first-teamers ahead of the new season.

Speaking on the club's transfer policy this summer, Eddie Howe claimed his side 'need depth'.

He said: "It's a difficult one, because we go into a lot of competitions next year, so we need the depth.

"This year, we've been light in certain areas of the pitch. We've carried on in the second half of the season with four midfielders. so you're one injury away from a very difficult situation, so we need a little bit more depth, certainly with three games in a week next year.

"We are suffering from injuries in a stage of the season, which is a concern for us in a sense that we do need to bolster our resources, because we can't be looking at one or two injuries."