OPINION
The only thing better than signing a promising teenage wonderkid on a cut price deal, is signing a promising teenage wonderkid on a cut price deal from your bitter local rivals.
It may not hold the same intensity as the Tyne Wear derby, but make no mistake, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough still hold enough contempt for each other to make dealings between the two a little bit tasty.
And so, it will no doubt infuriate Boro and their fans that the Magpies are named as one of a trio of clubs interested in snapping up wantaway teenage prospect Bilal Brahimi.
The 19-year-old winger has stalled over agreeing a new deal with the Teesside club, and according to TEAMtalk, the Toon Army would love to see him make the move north to St. James’ Park.
Brahimi has just the one first team appearance for Boro, making his bow in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, but is well thought of on Teesside, and is also said to be catching the eye of both Liverpool and French side Rennes.
United will, therefore, face stiff competition for his signature, but there is clearly something there to get excited about, and if Rafa Benitez could pull off a cut price swoop it would drive Boro fans crazy.
This kind of young, talented prospect is exactly the kind of signing that the Magpies should be aiming to make if they are to take that heavily craved next step towards regaining their status as a top Premier League side, and bringing in Brahimi would be a great place to start.
