Another Ireland player could be on the move.
Inter Milan and Republic of Ireland wonderkid Kevin Zefi has been linked with a transfer to Newcastle United.
According to The Irish Examiner, the Premier League side are looking to pry the 18-year-old from Inter and are currently in pole position to snap up the winger.
The Ireland under-19 international could join his fellow Ireland underage players Alex Murphy and Reece Byrne, who both joined the Magpies from Galway United and Bohemians respectively, at St James Park.
Zefi, who is also eligible to play for Albania, has represented Ireland at under-15, under-17 and under-19 level.
Kevin Zefi: Newcastle want to sign highly-rated Irish star from Inter Milan.
Zefi played 11 times for Shamrock Rovers II in the First Division and became the youngest player to score a goal in the League of Ireland history when he scored against Longford Town at the age of 15.
The Dublin-born winger joined Inter Milan on a three-year deal in 2021. Zefi has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Italian giants and has played for the club’s development teams.
There is one year remaining on his contract with the Serie A side. According to reports, however, Zeft is expected to leave Inter over the coming weeks.
Newcastle are leading the chase for the highly-rated youngster, who is now free to join a UK team as he is over 18 – Brexit rules prevent Irish players under the age of 18 from joining British teams.
Kevin Zefi Hattrick for Inter #nufc pic.twitter.com/ytn3aqgrN9
— Gianfranco Shola (@GianfrancoShoIa) July 5, 2023
If Zefi joins Newcastle, he will be signing for a team on the up after the Saudi-backed takeover of the club at the end of 2021. The Magpies qualified for the Champions League last season and have already signed a Serie A player this summer – ex-AC Milan star Sandro Tonali.
Zefi, however, would most likely feature in Newcastle’s development or Under-23 teams, or possibly go out on loan this season. The Ireland underage international predominantly plays on the left wing, but can also be used behind the striker.
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