Newcastle have 'agreed a deal in principle' to sign Manchester United star Brandon Williams on loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old burst onto the scene last year for the Red Devils but has failed to hold down a regular spot in the first-team, and now appears to be ready to gain more experience away from Old Trafford.
According to the Shields Gazette, Newcastle have found an agreement 'in principle' to sign the England Under-21 man on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign.
The Magpies are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, having suffered a number of injuries to key players so far. Steve Bruce spent £15m on full-back Jamal Lewis in the summer but he has failed to settle in at the club, and has lost his place to the versatile Matt Ritchie.
Williams' arrival could be the perfect piece of business for both clubs, allowing the defender to gain some much-needed experience at the top level while providing real competition in the left-back spot for Lewis and Ritchie.
The United starlet impressed in his initial displays, but then hit a rough patch of form and dropped out of the starting lineup. He fell even further down the pecking order in the summer when left-back Alex Telles arrived at Old Trafford, and that has restricted him to playing only six minutes of Premier League football this term.
He is still viewed as a prestigious talent but, with the Red Devils in a genuine title battle, there is little opportunity or time for a youngster to find his feet at one of the most demanding clubs in world football. Williams has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League clubs, however, and Newcastle will have a fight on their hands to get this deal over the line.
Southampton have also expressed interest in the left-back and the prospect of joining the high-flying Saints must be tempting for a developing star.
Should the Magpies miss out on a move for Williams, they could pursue a deal to re-sign defender Jetro Williams, who is fit again following injury and ready to leave German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
Source : 90min