Newcastle have a golden opportunity to sign the next Lionel Messi | OneFootball

Newcastle United could be about to make one of the boldest youth moves in their recent history — by trying to sign a 16-year-old talent being dubbed the next Lionel Messi.

According to ChronicleLive, the Magpies have been offered the chance to sign highly rated Mali youth international Aboubacar Maiga. The teenager is already making waves at under-17 level and has attracted interest from heavyweights across Europe, including Manchester City, Chelsea, and Barcelona.

But there is a growing feeling that Newcastle could sneak ahead in the race, with Maiga believed to have a strong desire to play in England one day. With an ambitious project under Eddie Howe and a clear path to first-team football, St James’ Park might just be the most appealing destination for the rising star.

Newcastle have a golden opportunity to sign the next Lionel Messi

Maiga is currently on the books at Academie Africa Foot in Mali — the same academy that has a working relationship with FC Barcelona. That link gives the Catalan giants a head start, and reports suggest they have already offered the youngster a pre-contract agreement.

Yet this is where Newcastle must be bold.

With a focus on smart recruitment and youth development, Maiga fits perfectly into the club’s long-term vision. His style of play — low centre of gravity, excellent dribbling, and a lethal eye for goal — has led to comparisons with Lionel Messi. Those are lofty standards, but the early signs suggest this is no ordinary teenager.

The Magpies have already shown their willingness to invest in young potential with deals like Yankuba Minteh and Garang Kuol. If they can pull off a move for Maiga, it would be another signal of intent from the Tyneside club that they are not just building for today, but for the next decade.

Barcelona’s early move should not scare Newcastle

Yes, Barcelona are a global brand with a pull few can match. And yes, their partnership with Maiga’s academy gives them an inside track. But Newcastle United are no longer a sleeping giant.

They are an ambitious, forward-thinking club on the rise. Their project is exciting, and the pathway to Premier League football is far less congested than at the Camp Nou or the Etihad. For a 16-year-old aiming to make his mark quickly, that could prove decisive.