NEWPORT County AFC could be closing in on signing midfielder Jamie Edge after adding the youngster to their tour party for Germany.

The Argus can reveal that the teenager, formerly a six figure signing for Arsene Wenger at Ars-enal, has impressed the County management immensely during his first week of training.

The Cheltenham-based teen will therefore be involved for Newport at Swindon Supermarine on Wednesday night and will then travel with the squad for their friendly with Carl Zeiss Jena.

Edge could be one of three former ‘next big things’ to join the Rodney Parade revolution this summer with Harry Worley already arr-ived and goalkeeper Jamie Stephens set to join, previously signed and managed by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Rafa Benitez at Liverpool respectively. Still only 19, Edge spent last season with the Nike Academy side, working with former Cardiff City great Jimmy Gilligan, father of ex-County man Ryan.

His pedigree is unquestionable and so far, boss Justin Edinburgh likes what he sees.

“We have added Jamie to the party for Germany, I have to say, so far we are very, very impressed with the boy,” Edinburgh told the Argus.

“We’ve stated we want to sign another midfielder and with the games coming up, Jamie has the chance to put himself in the box seat.

“We are looking forward to seeing him in action, starting some games and getting into the groove a bit.

“We liked what we’d heard about him, but seeing is believing and so far, we like what we’ve seen, though a game environment is very different.”

Edinburgh is thrilled by a positive first week of pre-season training and is now looking forward to his players featuring in match action for the first time since their Wembley triumph that secured a return to the Football League.

However, he’s admitted things haven’t gone entirely to plan in regard to new signings after a deal for full-back Curtis Osano fell through.

“We are a bit flat on that one to be honest, we thought we had reached an agreement but it wasn’t meant to be and we aren’t currently talking to anyone else,” he said.

“It’s a priority signing for us, but we are exploring our options.”

The Exiles have released three goalkeepers who had been training with the club, but they are continuing to monitor Blaenavon’s Ryan Doble.

The ex-Southampton striker is training with the club and while he isn’t going to Germany, he’s likely to continue to feature for the club in pre-season, should he wish.

However, Edinburgh has rubbished rumours from Newport fans that the club are interested in signing former Yeovil and West Ham midfielder Gavin Williams.

The 33-year old ex-Wales cap is without a club.

“There is nothing in that whatsoever, I think it’s just people putting two and two together and getting five… we aren’t even in talks with him,” the former Spurs defender concluded.