Newcastle United have seen an offer accepted for highly talented defender Josh Kenchington.
Newcastle are paying a fee of around £350,000 to sign the 15-year-old centre-back from Barnsley, according to Keith Downie. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were also interested in the player, but Newcastle beat them in the race.
Josh Kenchington could be a long-term asset
Kenchington is highly regarded throughout England and has a bright future. He could become a Newcastle first-team player with the right guidance. They will be delighted to have retained his services. They’re looking to build a team for the future, and signing the best young players in the country is a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old will also be delighted to have joined a big club. Newcastle have an ambitious project: they participate in the UEFA Champions League and win trophies. Any young player will want to be part of their project. It will be interesting to see if he can now continue his development with regular football at youth level with Newcastle.
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Man United and Spurs miss Kenchington
🚨 💴 Newcastle have agreed to pay £350,000 plus significant bonuses for prodigy Josh Kenchington.
✅ #NUFC The second offer to Barnsley was accepted, after a first offer of £275,000 was turned down.
⚫️ Compared to John Stones, Kenchington was playing under-18 football at just 14.… pic.twitter.com/uQqro1mDMH– Keith Downie (@skysports_keith) October 17, 2025
Manchester United and Tottenham will be disappointed to have missed out on the young defender. They have done well to attract several young players in recent windows, and it is clear that they are looking to build a formidable pipeline of young talent at the club.
The 15-year-old England defender would have been a great addition for them in the long term. Manchester United and Tottenham would also have been attractive destinations for the young defender.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have yet to receive clearance from the Premier League, and the deal will only be completed after that. The 15-year-old will then join the Newcastle Academy.
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