West Ham United exit imminent as Newcastle United line-up move for young defender
Newcastle United transfers: The Magpies are closing in on another young signing following the arrival of Ewen Jaouen.
Newcastle United have their sights set on West Ham United academy defender Kyle Healy-Matthews.
As per youth football expert The Secret Scout, The Magpies are looking to sign the 16-year-old right-back to join up with their under-18s squad next season.
Healy-Matthews is set to leave West Ham’s academy this summer and has been offered a scholarship at Newcastle.
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The teenager played six times for West Ham in the Under-18s Premier League last season, attracting interest from Newcastle in the process. Newcastle’s Under-18s side finished third behind Manchester City and Manchester United in the North section of the Under-18s Premier League in 2025/26.
Newcastle have already confirmed the release of right-back Ezra Tika-Lemba, with Healey-Matthews lined up as a replacement. Other academy players released by Newcastle at Under-18s level include Will Anderson, Thomas Bryant, Jude Cogdon, Kayden Lucas, Alex O’Donovan, Matthew Taylor and Mo Waddani.
Joe Brayson, Adam Harrison, Alfie Harrison, Charlie McArthur, Darren Palmer, James Taylor and Max Thompson were also released at Under-21s level.
As a result, a significant recruitment drive is expected at academy level this summer.
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But at first-team level, the signings are already underway with the arrival of 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims in France for £18million. The young goalkeeper’s arrival follows the departures of goalkeepers, Harrison, Taylor, Thompson at Under-21 level and Aaron Ramsdale and John Ruddy at first-team level.
Odysseas Vlachodimos is also likely to leave the club after his season-long loan move at Sevilla ended.