Newcastle beat Leeds, West Ham to free-transfer deal for England U18 starlet

Matthew Bondswell TEAMtalk

Newcastle United have beaten Leeds and West Ham to the signature of free agent Matthew Bondswell, according to a reliable source.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are on the verge of signing the 18-year-old left-back after his departure from RB Leipzig in January.

The Nottingham Forest academy starlet moved to Germany in 2018, but after  two-and-a-half years in Germany the youngster wanted to return home.

The England Under-18 defender failed to make the breakthrough with the Champions League club and spent a loan spell with FC Dordrecht.

West Ham were close to signing him in January, according to Football Insider. The Hammers held talks with him in January, but could not complete a deal.

Both Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon were also thought to be looking at the player.

However, Newcastle have landed Bondswell, who never made a senior appearance for Leipzig’s senior side.

 

Newcastle v Aston Villa Match Preview, March 12, 2021

Newcastle v Aston Villa Match Preview, March 12, 2021

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Bondswell is expected to go into Newcastle’s U23 squad where he will be assessed by Chris Hogg.


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Bruce searching for bargains

Steve Bruce will be hoping England U18 star Bondswell can make the leap into the first-team squad and challenge Jamal Lewis for a place in first XI.

There is unlikely to be a great amount of cash to spend on transfers in the summer and the club are already looking at loans and free transfers.

Bruce said last month: “I think what you are going to see, especially during the pandemic, is that we haven’t seen many big transfers and I can’t see things changing in the summer.

“So I think it will be the same again I would have thought.

“There will be a few and a privileged few that will have money, but certainly the way it’s looking I don’t think there will be supporters back in the ground this season.”

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