Newcastle United hold talks over 16-goal striker after Leeds United cameo

The 18-year-old scored 16 goals in 17 starts for Boro’s academy last season before making his senior debut as a late substitute in a 4-3 defeat to Leeds United in April.

Speaking after the game, Boro head coach Michael Carrick said: “It was great to get Ajay on - giving youngsters opportunities is what this club is all about and what we love doing as a coaching team. Obviously we want to keep a lid on it a little bit as well.

"It’s always great for me to be able to give young lads an opportunity and we thought he deserved one tonight. He’s a goalscorer and he’s proven that over the course of the season. At this stage of the season and in the game, it was kind of, roll of the dice a little bit. He had a little sniff to almost get one as well after we’d got one back.”

Matthews made his second appearance in a 4-1 win at Cardiff City five days later. At the end of May, he represented England at under-18s.

According to The Secret Scout, Newcastle, Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Celtic and Rangers have held discussions and are hopeful of signing Matthews.

However, tempting him away from Teesside is no easy task. Matthews was born and bred in Middlesbrough, as was his father/ agent Lee Matthews, who made three Premier League appearances for Leeds United.

Newcastle plan to bolster their academy significantly this summer having already signed 16-year-old Aaron Epia from Everton and 14-year-old midfielder CJ Afumuzor from Portsmouth.

Up to 13 players will leave the academy at the end of their contracts this week, including Amadou Diallo, Michael Ndiweni, Will Brown, Jude Smith, Jordan Hackett, Matthew Bondswell, Lucas De Bolle, Kyle Crossley, Dylan Stephenson, Shaun Mavididi, Taylor Ross and Carter Milmore.