The recent injury of Jonjo Shelvey has Newcastle doubling down on their hunt for a young and hungry central-midfielder who can play the ‘number six’ role in January – but there are still eyes on bringing in an attacker for the future.
Indeed, Eddie Howe missed out on 18-year-old Andrey Santos, who signed for Chelsea over the Magpies despite extensive talks, but intermediaries remain in Brazil – 12 months on from completing a deal for Bruno Guimaraes – and have had discussions with other exciting prospects.
Flamengo’s Matheus Franca is on their radar but he has been watched also by Crystal Palace, while a local report in O Dia suggested that Bayer Leverkusen had turned down a proposal for the 18-year-old for some £12million.
Newcastle’s interest was there even before they reached out and tried to bring Santos in – but things have gone a bit quiet since.
Brasileirão Série A fans speak extremely highly of this versatile player: they point to his ability to play both as a number 10 and number 9 – even sometimes on the left flank – and consider him to be Flamengo’s next big young talent following the club’s success of developing Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior.
Given the interest in Franca among a number of top European sides, Newcastle would have to act quickly for the player who’s won two league titles with his club already.
Have been trying to confirm this but it does appear that his release clause is some £87million, though it’s not clear whether Flamengo would want this in full to allow him to leave.
Liverpool can buy a top player, and others can splash the cash, why is Newcastle holding back. And Ashworth is asleep.
Ascot7(Quote)