The Magpies are pushing to lure the 16-year-old to St James’ Park from the London Stadium, hoping to beat out strong competition from several Premier League rivals who are also keen on a free transfer for the soon-to-be out-of-contract right-back.
Represented by elite agency CAA Stellar, the England youth international has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most promising young full-backs.
Renowned for his explosive recovery pace, strong defensive instincts, and modern overlapping ability, he caught the eye of scouts following standout performances in West Ham’s youth setup, featuring prominently in their Under-17 Premier League Cup campaign.
Since the PIF takeover, Newcastle’s recruitment strategy has centred on securing elite first-team talent and aggressively targeting the UK’s best youth prospects before their values soar.
This approach follows successful academy signings such as Alfie Harrison and Trevan Sanusi, highlighting a clear pathway for future depth while proactively navigating the strict Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
West Ham would have loved to keep the defender, with club staff viewing him as a talent capable of rapidly progressing to their Under-21s.
Yet the appeal of Newcastle’s project and a pathway to Premier League football have given the Magpies significant leverage in ongoing talks.
If Newcastle are successful, Healy-Matthews is expected to start with the Under-18s, with a clear pathway for rapid promotion to the Under-21s.
Securing his signature would be another behind-the-scenes victory, helping to keep the club’s talent pipeline stocked with leading domestic prospects.