Newcastle United are looking to build for the future under PIF ownership.
While, naturally, much of the attention is around what Newcastle are doing in the here and now, decision-makers at St James’ Park aren’t that short-sighted.
Eddie Howe has spoken of how it will take years before the club become a force at the top level and the work has been going in to build an exciting squad for the future.
The bulk of the signings under PIF have been players in their early-to-mid-twenties.
Sven Botman, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento were all around that kind of age when they brought to the club.
There have of course been a few exceptions but, by and large, PIF have looked for talented players looking to establish themselves.
As well as those names for the first-team, there’s been a youth recruitment drive. Indeed, the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby are currently all out on loan as they wait to try and make an impact on the Newcastle first-team.
With that in mind, it’s hardly surprising to see the club linked with another young and developing player.
Newcastle are now leading the chase to sign Peterborough winger Ricky-Jade Jones
According to The Sun, Newcastle are leading the chase to sign Peterborough forward Ricky-Jade Jones.
It is claimed that top scouts from a number of different clubs have watched the 21-year-old in action but the Magpies are currently in pole position.
Jones is said to have been on the radar of top teams since he broke into the first-team at the age of 16 and the League One outfit are reportedly looking for around £2m for his services.
Who is Ricky-Jade Jones and what is his style of play?
The forward is capable of playing across the frontline but has generally operated as a striker for the Posh this season.
He’s scored 11 times while registering a further five assists in 48 appearances across all competitions this season and one of his major attributes is his pace.
The Sun’s report claims he can run 100 metres in just 10.9 seconds, which is only 1.4 seconds slower than Usain Bolt’s word-record time of 9.58.
Speaking about the player in 2019, Posh manager Darren Ferguson said (via Peterborough Today): “Ricky-Jade Jones must be the quickest player I’ve ever managed and I’ve managed some quick ones. He’s a talent, there’s no doubt about that.”
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