Newcastle United are looking towards South America for a new centre midfielder, and reportedly want to sign Maximo Perrone and Andrey Santos.
One is a teenager playing in Argentina. The other is a teenager playing in Brazil. They are both incredibly highly rated, and have admiring glances from some of the world’s biggest clubs.
Perrone was a target for Manchester City earlier this year, while Santos is attracting interest from the likes of Barcelona and PSG.
Newcastle are in the mix for both of them as well, but perhaps they are leaning towards the cheaper option as January looms.
Newcastle want Perrone, and he will be much cheaper than Santos
18-year-old Santos was the first player to emerge on Newcastle’s radar. He was linked shortly after the summer transfer window, and it has since been claimed by 90min that the Magpies are confident they can bring him to St James’ Park.
He’s a big fan of Bruno Guimaraes, and there is reportedly hope that the 25-year-old’s presence can convince Santos and others to join the Magpies.
However, he won’t be cheap, such is his potential. Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Vasco da Gama teenager will cost more than £25million.
Santos would be an expensive addition, but he would be an investment for the future. However, another future investment might not cost the Newcastle owners quite as much.
Perrone has recently emerged as a target, with claims in Argentina suggesting we are in negotiations to sign the deep lying playmaker.
Like Santos, he also seems set for a move to Europe, but will cost nowhere near as much. Perrone reportedly has a release clause of just £7.8million, but Newcastle are prepared to pay more. It has been reported that Dan Ashworth is willing to offer £12.3million to snap up the South American sensation.
That means he would cost half of what Santos will, who we face a lot more competition for.
While we can compete with the big boys for transfers now, Newcastle might see the opposition and the price difference and decide to go for Perrone instead.
The Magpies are planning for their future with targets like Perrone and Santos, but must continue to be wary of FFP. And that could see them go for the Argentinian over the Brazilian.