Newcastle United striker Chris Wood says Garang Kuol must be the real thing if the Toon are after him.

The teenage Aussie is the subject of intense transfer talks between Newcastle and Central Coast Mariners.

Wood Believes he must fit the bill if the Eddie Howe's side are keen.

“I haven't seen him play, but I've heard a lot about him over the week or two, with the link," Wood told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I'm sure he's a very exciting talent if a club like us are looking at him, especially with where the club's going to go in the next few years."