NEWCASTLE United are set to bolster their youth ranks with the capture of highly-rated teenager Miodrag Pivas - but there's fresh uncertainty over the future of Yankuba Minteh after another transfer twist.

Pivas, who spent last season with FK Jedinstvo Ub in the Serbian Superliga, is set to become a free agent at the end of this month and was spotted at St James' Park earlier this week.

The 19-year-old, who can operate as a defensive midfielder or centre-half, will initially link up with Newcastle's Under-21s, but will hope he can impress in the youth ranks and force his way into Eddie Howe's first team plans.

He's a Serbian youth international and has impressed in his homeland, with former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic saying: "A huge talent and serious potential.

"If he continues this way, he's on the path to the national team. In my opinion, we haven't seen a player with such predispositions since Nemanja Vidic and Bradislav Ivanovic. A complete player and a top professional.”

While the arrival of Pivas will be a boost in the youth ranks, Newcastle's priority in the coming days is balancing the books ahead of the PSR deadline this weekend.

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But there remains uncertainty about the future of Minteh after the Magpies were dealt a fresh blow in their bid to reluctantly move the highly-rated winger on.

In an ideal world, Minteh would continue his impressive and rapid development on Tyneside but the 19-year-old, who impressed on loan at Feyenoord last season, could fetch United up to £40m this summer.

Lyon were keen on capturing the wideman and had opened talks with Newcastle, but Minteh is said to be unsold on the idea of joining the Ligue 1 club and would prefer to stay in the Premier League.

He was keen on a move to Everton but talks with the Toffees broke down after the Magpies were unable to agree a deal to sign striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Brighton have also been linked with Minteh but it's not clear at this stage whether they'll firm up their interest with a bid or will be willing to match Newcastle's demands, and the same can be said of the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Roma, who are also said to be monitoring the situation. Marseille - now managed by former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi - are also keen.

Minteh has not yet played for Newcastle after joining the Magpies from Danish side Odense for around £7m last summer.