Newcastle United set to land 16-year-old midfielder after failing to sign a scholarship deal

Newcastle United remain confident that they will be able to win the race to sign 16-year-old midfielder Rory Finneran from Blackburn.

The young Irishman has been linked with a move away from Rovers all season with several Premier League clubs eyeing a move for the prospect.

Newcastle were one of the clubs interested in the youngster who made history by becoming Blackburn's youngest-ever player to make an appearance when he came off the bench in the FA Cup third-round win over Cambridge United aged just 15 years and 312 days.

Rovers were dealt a hammer blow earlier this week when it was announced that Finneran chose not to sign a new two-year scholarship deal with the club opening the door to a move away.

Newcastle's summer youth recruitment drive continues

Finneran wouldn't be the first youth player the Magpies have signed this summer.

It was recently announced that 16-year-old defender Aaron Epia joined the club having agreed to leave Everton in favour of a move to Tyneside.

Epia featured as a trialist in two games for Newcastle's under-18 side, impressing staff including head coach Graham Carrick who recently departed for Middlesborough.

Upon his exit, the young defender said: “I want to thank all the staff and players at Everton that have helped support my development over the last seven years,”

“I’ve had a great journey. It has been a tough decision to decide, but I feel like the time has come for me to find a new challenge.

"I want to wish the club all the best for the future.”

More youth to join Newcastle after Rory Finneran?

Alongside Epia, 14-year-old CJ Afumuzor joined the club from Portsmouth after playing at under-16 level.

18-year-old Alfie Harrison joined the club in January and has made a number of appearances for both the under-18 and under-21 sides including the U21s Northumberland Senior Cup final win against Blyth Town at St James' Park.

With Finneran set to move to Tyneside, it is also thought that 19-year-old midfielder Amario Cozier-Duberry could also join the club following his release from Arsenal.

There were reports that he was about to sign a new contract with the Gunners but talks broke down meaning the door is open for the Englishman to move to the North East.