Newcastle United to beat Spurs to signing of 'next John Stones' from Barnsley | OneFootball

The Magpies are set to poach the 15-year-old from the Barnsley academy

Newcastle United are set to beat out Tottenham Hotspur and other top-flight interest to the signing of 15-year-old Barnsley centre-back Josh Kenchington.

According to Craig Hope from the Daily Mail, the Barnsley native has agreed to a deal with the Premier League side, which will allow him to continue his development with the Magpies.

There's plenty of hype around the young defender, who already stands north of six feet, with many dubbing him the 'next John Stones,' not only due to the two being born in South Yorkshire, but also for his potential to become one of England's best centre-backs in the future.

Having already made multiple appearances for England in his age group, the sky is truly the limit for Kenchington, and Eddie Howe's side will be hoping that he can realise that potential at St James' Park.

Newcastle United agree deal for 15-year-old Josh Kenchington

According to a Q&A by Craig Hope in the Daily Mail, Newcastle are set to bring in highly-rated centre-back Kenchington from Barnsley.

The Magpies have been reported to have beaten out the interest of a number of top-flight sides, including Tottenham, for his signature.

Despite being just 15, Kenchington has progressed rapidly throughout his short career at his boyhood club. Standing at over six feet already, the England U15 international is said to be "extremely comfortable on the ball," leading many to already compare him to Manchester City star John Stones.

Stones spent a season in the first team at Oakwell before he made his move to Everton in 2013, aged just 18, but Kenchington is making his Premier League switch already.

Despite the deal not formally being agreed just yet, a deal has been agreed with the Tykes, and anticipation is growing around the 15-year-old's arrival at St James' Park.

The sky's the limit for Josh Kenchington at Newcastle United

Whilst a lot of these deals that see academy stars switch between youth squads usually get swept under the rug, plenty of noise is being made about Kenchington's immediate arrival at Newcastle, and for good reason.

The 15-year-old has an enormous amount of potential, having dominated his age group at both domestic and international levels. The demands will increase now that he's at a top Premier League club, but plenty expect him to be able to exceed those expectations.

To be compared to one of England's best central defenders in recent times at such a young age is a big indication of where Kenchington's career is set to go, and you'd expect that, in a few years, those who lost out to Newcastle would be wishing they had increased their interest.

For Barnsley, there'll be some frustration that they weren't able to see his talents in the first team for a short period, like they did with Stones, but they'll look on with pride as another one of their own looks to establish themselves as one of England's next big things.