According to fresh reports emerging from Brazil, Newcastle are in talks to sign Flamengo wonderkid Matheus Franca after an impressive end to the 2022 season.
Globo Esporte – one of the leading outlets in South America – claim that Toon officials have ‘opened negotiations’ with the Samba side in a bid to buy their 18-year-old ‘jewel.’
The attacking midfielder has made 17 appearances in the most recent Serie A campaign, netting four times in total, with three coming in his final seven games to help his side to a fifth place finish.
Franca’s impressive displays have also earned him call-ups to Brazil’s youth teams, including the Under-16s, Under-17s and Under-20s.
So, it seems he could be the latest Samba talent to watch out for ahead of the January transfer window, with this coming after former target Andrey Santos finalised a €20m move to Chelsea this week.
It’s thought Bayer Leverkusen are also keen on Franca, as another Brazilian newspaper claims the Bundesliga side had a €14m bid rejected by Flamengo just a few days ago. Here’s a few clips of the teenager in action:
