Report: Newcastle keeping tabs on 19-year-old who’s been compared to Real Madrid prodigy

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Newcastle United are one of several English clubs reportedly keeping tabs on Stromsgodset midfielder Johan Hove, according to 90Min.

The 19-year-old is the latest in a line of talented Norwegian footballers to be tipped for success and the report claims the Magpies have sent scouts to monitor his progress.

As well as Newcastle, Premier League rivals Everton, Southampton, and Crystal Palace are reportedly keen, as are Championship high-flyers Fulham and West Bromwich Albion.

With the likes of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Kristoffer Ajer and Sander Berge all being tipped for stardom, plenty of eyes are believed to be looking at Norway for the next big thing.

Hove has already made 30 senior appearances for Stromsgodset since making his breakthrough towards the end of last season, and he is also now a regular for Norway’s Under-21 side.

The teenager, who remains under contract at the Eliteserien club until January 2022, has been compared to Real Madrid wonderkid Odegaard.

Indeed, former Stromsgodset coach Bjorn Petter Ingebretsen told Norwegian outlet Nettavisen last year that Hove has the potential to follow in his young compatriot’s footsteps.

“He is a huge talent and the greatest talent we have at the club now,” Ingebretsen said. “And we’ve had some of them before. He can now go as far as the other talents we’ve had here, to put it that way.”

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With Newcastle on the verge of a takeover which could potentially make the Magpies the wealthiest club in world football, there is plenty of excitement and speculation regarding who could join the prospective revolution at St James’ Park.

While some high-profile players and coaches have been mentioned – Dries Mertens, Edinson Cavani, Willian, Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri, Rafael Benitez and Lucien Favre to name but a few – there are also relatively unknown prodigies also making the rounds.

Hove has already been tipped for major success, and while marquee names may generate more excitement and headlines, Newcastle should also look to go down the route of bringing promising youngsters and turning them into bona fide stars.