NEWCASTLE are set to snap up Manchester City’s youth transfer guru as part of their continued revolution, according to reports.
Paul McLaren is a youth scout for the reigning Premier League champions.
Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe are adding Paul McLaren to the staff at NewcastleGetty
However, Fabrizio Romano reports he is on his way to St James’ Park.
McLaren, 46, looks on course to start his new role as Head of Scouting in July.
The former midfielder spent 18 years as a professional in the EFL and retired in 2012.
He had a spell as Arsenal’s northern head youth scout and then switched to City five-and-a-half years ago.
However, McLaren has seemingly been headhunted as part of sporting director Dan Ashworth’s ongoing overhaul of the Newcastle academy.
The Magpies created several new roles in January surrounding scouting young talent.
Ex-Manchester City and Leeds scout Paul Midgley joined ahead of youth recruitment.
Toon are thriving since the controversial £300million Saudi takeover.
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First-team signings such as Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes are blossoming under Eddie Howe.
And the popular boss took the club back to Wembley for their first major final in 24 years with last weekend’s Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester United.
But as well as delivering progress at senior level – Newcastle are still in the race to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League – they want to improve the youth-team set-up to breed further success.