Newcastle keen to poach goalkeeper prospect from League One but face summer transfer war
NEWCASTLE aim to make a move for young Fleetwood keeper Stephen McMullan.
The hot prospect, 18, has appeared for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at youth level.
Toon chiefs have made contact and hope to offer McMullan a path to the first team.
He has yet to play for the Cod Army but could fetch a decent fee and there may be a bidding war before summer.
McMullan has kept two clean sheets in two FA Youth Cup games.
The goalkeeper did sign a new contract with the League One club in January despite only just signing a two-year professional deal a few months prior.
Fleetwood‘s academy head Jack Higgins spoke of the highly-rated stopper at the time.
He said: “Stephen is a great character and is very self-motivated and determined.
“I know Stephen is desperate to succeed and to learn day in day out and he is the kind of person we want in the building.
“He has shown in numerous matches this season that he can make important saves in the big games.
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“It’s important we make sure we put him on the right path, alongside him working hard on and off the field.”
The goalkeeper position has been a hot topic on Tyneside this season.
Boss Eddie Howe was forced to play former Liverpool flop Loris Karius in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United, after No1 Nick Pope was suspended.