NEWCASTLE UNITED are set to make a summer move for Wigan Athletic youngster Kyle Joseph – no matter what league they find themselves playing in next season.

The Magpies have had Joseph in their sights for a number of months now, with a succession of scouting delegations heading to the DW Stadium to watch the 19-year-old forward in action.

A Scotland Under-19 international, Joseph has scored five goals in 14 League One appearances this season, and has impressed despite Wigan’s struggles in the relegation zone in the third tier.

With his contract due to expire at the end of the current campaign, Joseph appears certain to leave the Latics this summer, with his age meaning his current employers will be due compensation.

Celtic have been linked with a move for the youngster, with the Scottish media claiming the SPL side would be willing to pay around £200,000 as a compensation payment.

Newcastle would offer more than that – potentially as much as £1m in a series of staggered payments – and are set to make a formal move as soon as the current campaign is at an end.

Clearly, they would be signing Joseph with half an eye on the future, although if they were to find themselves in the Championship next season, the prospects of the youngster forcing his way into the first-team picture would increase.