Exclusive: Newcastle and Celtic both interested in 'best ever' academy product who could be sold in January

Today at 06:15 AM

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Both Newcastle United and Celtic could become embroiled in a battle to sign one Scotland's best young academy products in January.

Right now, both Eddie Howe and Brendan Rodgers are renowned for their ability to nurture young players at both St James' Park and Celtic Park respectively.

And alongside Glasgow Rangers, both historic British clubs are interested in signing a Motherwell youngster who's seriously impressing right now.

TBR Football understands that both Newcastle and Celtic are keen on 18-year-old midfielder Lennon Miller.

Newcastle believe that Lennon Miller has ‘huge potential’

Motherwell are set to sell Miller, who has made 19 senior appearances for the club so far this season, and the midfielder himself has a big decision to make.

Celtic and Rangers are both interested in the youngster and had been leading the chase, but options have now emerged in England, with Newcastle now watching Miller closely in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Newcastle United and PIF tipped to 'go nuclear' as £300m budget boost mooted

Newcastle have been working hard to snap up young emerging talent in the last 12 months and have landed the likes of Georgian teenage forward Vakhtang Salia and Serbian defender Miodrag Pivas.

It is understood that Miller is someone they appreciate and they see him as a player with huge potential – but Newcastle are not alone in that view.

Motherwell name their asking price for Lennon Miller amid interest from Italy

TBR can confirm that more than half the Premier League have watched Miller play for Motherwell this term.

That includes Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Leeds United.

It is also understood that Italian outfits Atalanta and Bologna are also keen, perhaps seeking a move similar to the one that took Lewis Ferguson from Aberdeen to Italy.

To that end, Motherwell rate Miller as their best prospect to come through their ranks and are expecting a deal to be done in January.

Motherwell earned £3m from the sale of David Turnbull to Celtic in 2020, but they are hoping to earn at least £5m for Miller – whose current deal runs to 2026.

It is believed that Motherwell would like to keep Miller until the summer, even if a deal is agreed in the New Year.