According to reports in South America, Newcastle United have launched a third bid for Matheus Franca.
This comes from Brazilian journalist journalist Venê Casagrande, who reports that our latest offer for the attacking midfielder amounts to an up-front fee of £14m.
However, it’s believed Flamengo value the player well above this figure and are reluctant to lose the 18-year-old when teammate João Gomes is expected to leave for Lyon or Wolves.
The Brazil U20 international is able to play out wide, as a No 10 or up top and has bagged seven goals in 29 appearances for the Série A side.
Newcastle’s opening offer was believed to be in the region of £11.5m, while O Globo revealed earlier this week that our second bid amounted to an initial £12.3m plus £1.7m in potential add-ons.
It’s thought the Brazilian giants will only let Franca leave if Newcastle agree to pay €20m AND insert a 50% sell-on clause into his contract. The initial fee seems fair for a player of his potential, however I cannot see Dan Ashworth agreeing to such a huge sell on percentage.
Either way, it looks like the teenage sensation is another one to watch in the final few days of the window, with Fabrizio Romano and The Mail’s Craig Hope also confirming our interest this week.
This seems a very public process either the agent is trying to hawk his client to the elite clubs and using nufc or he is trying to get a better contract at his own club, surely nufc wouldnt even be at the table if this 50% sell on were true?
Nufc 11(Quote)