Newcastle United have been linked with League One club Walsall's hot prospect Rico Henry, according to media reports.
TheChroniclehas reported that the Magpies want to bring the youngster to the club, but they will face competition from Premier League clubs such as Arsenal.
This deal is another progression of Toon manager Rafa Benitez's grand plan to bring more talented, young, English players into the squad as he looks to lead United out of the Championship and back into the top flight.
There is no doubt that Henry is an excellent bet for the future, and has emerged as a key part of the Saddlers defence. After making his leaguedebut in 2014 against Barnsley, the 19-year-old made eight more appearances in that competition and one in the cup.
However, Henry's rise to a first team place has been rapid - and after those baby steps into the world of senior football he made 44 appearances, scoring two goals and claiming four assists in that time.
Those 2015/2016 stats show that the left-back can make the step up to first team football quickly, and play at a high level during that time. This would indicate that the youngster can make the transition up another level, and would get first team football under Benitez as his position is one that Newcastle need to strengthen in.
The injury records of Paul Dummett andMassadio Haïdara suggest that there will be a point in the season when both are unavailable at some point during the campaign, and this would be the point when Henry would be able to step up and make an impact.
With the Magpies being in the Championship, it would give the youngster a chance to make gradual steps up to the top flight and develop with the club and the other hot prospects there as well.
The plan is to achieve promotion at the first attempt, but with being in the second tier, the whole backroom staff has an excellent chance to give first team football to those who need it in order to develop.
In Benitez they have a world class manager who is good at blooding youngsters, and transfers like this are an excellent indication for the long term thinking at United.