NEWCASTLE are set to sign Aussie wonderkid Garang Kuol, according to reports.
The highly-rated striker has gained interest from the likes of Barcelona and Stuttgart with his performances in Australia.
But the Toon appear to have won the battle for his signature.
According to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, the Magpies have reached an agreement with Kuol’s club Central Coast Mariners.
The transfer would see the 18-year-old move to Newcastle on January 1 before being loaned out elsewhere in Europe.
Kuol is now set to jet into the North East for Toon talks.
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Loaning the 5ft 9in attacker out would likely curb any work permit issues.
And plenty of sides are believed to be interested in taking him on a temporary basis.
Stuttgart have been keen to swoop for Kuol, having already signed his older brother Alou from Central Coast Mariners last year.
Barcelona, meanwhile, want to take the youngster on a two-year loan deal.
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Newcastle’s deal in place is believed to be worth around £300,000.
Kuol arrived in Australia as a refugee from Egypt aged six alongside his family.
He has made a blistering start to life in the A-League, scoring four goals in his first eight Aussie top flight matches under ex-Sheffield United and Millwall ace Nick Montgomery.
His incredible start to life in the first-team saw him make his international debut on Sunday as the Socceroos beat New Zealand 2-0.
In the process he became Australia’s sixth-youngest ever men’s international at 18 years and nine days.
Magpies striker Chris Wood was on the losing side on Sunday, and is excited by the prospect of being joined in the North East by Kuol.
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He told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I haven’t seen him play, but I’ve heard a lot about him over the week or two, with the link.
“I’m sure he’s a very exciting talent if a club like us are looking at him, especially with where the club’s going to go in the next few years.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
