Newcastle United are reportedly one of two Premier League clubs who are trying to sign Brazilian teenager Matheus Franca.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that two clubs from English football’s top flight are pushing to sign the Flamengo youngster, and now TNT Sport have named the teams in question.
The Brazilian outlet believe that the two clubs Romano is alluding to are Eddie Howe’s Magpies and Crystal Palace.
Franca is the latest South American prospect to be linked with a move to St James’ Park. The club are making a clear effort to try and bring exciting teenagers to Tyneside, with Brazil a hotbed for talent.
We have seen rumours about the likes of Andrey Santos and Angelo Gabriel. Now Matheus Franca is the next Brazilian player who appears to be on Newcastle’s radar heading into January.
He is an attacking midfielder, and briefly featured for Flamengo during their Copa Libertadores winning campaign this year. He was on the bench as his side beat Athletico Paranaense in the final last month.
Franca is currently teammates with Brazilian defender David Luiz, but could soon be playing alongside Bruno Guimaraes if he moves to the North East.
Newcastle trying to beat Palace to sign Matheus Franca
The 18-year-old is an exciting talent, and a player who seems destined for a move to Europe. And it is very encouraging to hear that we are in the mix for his signature.
Newcastle are now a club with their finger on the pulse, and are ready to sign some of the top talents from across the globe. We have already seen it with Garang Kuol, the Australian wonderkid who will officially become a Magpie in January.
Sporting Director Dan Ashworth is building for the future, which is why teenagers like Franca are being targeted. They aren’t necessarily cheap, but it is cheaper to get them now before they are truly established.
A move for Franca could cost as much as £17million according to Romano. That does look like a lot of money for someone so young, but it is part of the long term vision that the new owners have brought to St James’ Park.
With Crystal Palace the other team in contention, the Magpies will fancy their chances of signing Franca. We are on the brink of something very special, and could even qualify for Europe in the next six months.
Young players will want to join Newcastle and be a part of this journey. Palace do have the lure of being near London, but that isn’t the be all and end all despite what Gabby Agbonlahor and Richard Keys tell you.
With Brazilian players already at St James’ Park and a club set to challenge at the top, it feels like Newcastle should be able to edge out Palace in this transfer tussle.
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