Highly-rated Newcastle United defender could seal exit in 'the next day or two'
The latest transfer talk from Newcastle United as the Magpies look to add to their squad during the January transfer window.
The January transfer window is open for business and Newcastle United are expected to confirm their first outgoing deal as young striker Ben Parkinson is closing in on a move to Scottish Premiership club Falkirk.
The Magpies academy product is in the final six months of his current deal and has spoken of his desire to make a move into senior football after making a solitary first-team appearance for United when he came off the bench to replace Lewis Miley during a Premier League defeat at Bournemouth in November 2023. Despite being named in Eddie Howe’s matchday squad on 13 occasions, that appearance at the Vitality Stadium is now certain to be the first and only of Parkinson’s senior career at St James Park.
The Durham-born striker is not the only Magpies youngster set to leave the club over the coming days as Under-21s captain Cathal Heffernan is close on a move away from Tyneside and the deal could come to fruition in the coming days. Magpies Under-21s lead coach Adam Lawrence opted against naming the Republic of Ireland youth international in his matchday squad for Friday night’s Premier League 2 clash with Middlesbrough as a potential move is in the offing.
His absence from the squad had provoked some talk Heffernan could be handed a place in the Magpies senior squad for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Bournemouth. However, Lawrence has revealed the powerful centre-back could be set for a move over the coming days - but stopped short of confirming whether the deal would be a loan or permanent switch.
Potential
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 defeat against Boro, Lawrence told The Gazette: “There is potentially something there with Heff. Nothing is confirmed so it would be wrong to speak about anything in terms of that it may happen or it may not happen. When there was some potential with it, we made the decision as staff to say maybe it’s best that he sits this one out with a view to something happening so he is preparing himself for that. It may end up happening in the next day or two, it may end up being a little bit longer but he is someone that sits in that bracket of being ready to take that next step.
“I think if you look at Heff’s performances, particularly in the Under-21s games over the last couple of months, you can see he is ready for that next step in terms of going into senior football physically and his level of performance. We are delighted and feel something is close to happening but we and he have to work hard to get it over the line and go - but he is definitely ready.”
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