If we really want to compete with the established elite in both the Premier League and on the continent, then we’ve got to beat them more than just on the pitch.
Whether it’s establishing a worldwide fanbase or building a top-tier new stadium and training facilities, we’re still a long way away from where we’re aiming to be as a true footballing powerhouse compared to the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
But in terms of player recruitment and international scouting, we’ve more than shown in recent windows that the Newcastle United project is enticing and ready to turn some of the next top prospects into stars.
And according to a new report, we’ve got our eyes set on our next target: a 6’1 Brazilian forward who has some backing in very high places…
Toon targeting another Brazilian?
Brazilian outlet NT Vascaínos are reporting that Newcastle United have joined the race to sign highly-rated Brazilian Rayan from Vasco de Gama.
The 19-year-old, who was part of the victorious Brazil side that won the South American U-20s Championship back in February, has scored 14 goals so far in 2025.
Having previously attracted attention from Barcelona, the report claims that PIF governor and Toon Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is ready to back any pursuit, suggesting he is eager to see another Selecao star join Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton on Tyneside.
A tough transfer to complete
Despite having Al-Rumayyan’s supposed backing, we may face an uphill battle if we want to sign Rayan in the near future.
Both Spurs and Aston Villa have expressed an interest in signing the teenager, with Thomas Frank’s side reportedly going to directly to CBF representatives to learn more about Rayan.
Then there’s also Vasco de Gama’s tough stance: they’re less than keen to sell their top goalscorer, and have slapped a price tag of around €30m on him. There is also a reported release clause of €40m in Rayan’s contract.
Thankfully however, in case Rayan were to have any doubts about joining us, we have two standout cases of Brazilian stars flourishing in our team.
Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton could be enough to win the youngster over, and show that we can be direct path in the Brazilian National Team without having to play for the likes of Real Madrid or PSG.
Before can even think about challenging the so called elite off the pitch how about we stop massively underperforming on it based on the cost of our squad (currently standing at 700M+) and start beating the midfield teams we are supposed to be beating who have spent less than half that – Fulham, Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford etc. We should be 7th best team at worst and yet here we are nowhere near it. The best teams have a narrow band of consistency they rarely move out of whereas our form is all over the place – with the players we have and a cup win under our belts we should be well past this. How long before the owners want serious answers!
Steve(Quote)
Hasn’t taken long for some to sound like an arsenal supporter.
Patience required.
There’s lots of clubs spent more and for more years…
We’re just starting and the squad is still bare in patches..
Tired already of podcaster and wingers
Referee(Quote)
How Long do you want just asking, isn’t five years like they said enough, come we started the season with a silly kick start that Eddie copied from another European team, that tells me he is clueless, amateur at best, to copy a tactic like that, he doesn’t have the knowledge to takes up further.
BMlondon(Quote)
lmao
I’ll stick with his judgement that has had us in the CL twice and a trophy won since the takeover, something a hell of a lot of teams and fans would grasp.
When the day comes when he leaves here you just watch how many top clubs will want him, you just keep typing from your parents spare room with your gravy stained top and let us worry about NUFC.
IMO we’re doing good and so is Eddie.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
No top club would appoint Eddie Howe if he were available. His ceiling is a club like Everton or West Ham.
hmd(Quote)
Shhh mackem be gone to your own sites
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Omfg clown
Sammy d(Quote)
Eddie howe in my opinion isn’t a world class manager like guardiola who has won league titles you would say he is. Newcastle need a proven winner who has won some of the top trophies in the game. The one manager who is available and has proven himself to win league titles and champions league is Mr rafa benitez . I say get him in before the summer Window let him recruit some of his players and give him a summer to get prepared for the season, and then i truly believe we will stand a good chance of winning the league.
Darren boyd(Quote)
Oh dear I’ll stick with Eddie thanks, Rafa like his tactics are past his best very much like Jose.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
YAR oversees a portfolio of 120+ investments at PIF. He has people under him managing each of them. Believe it or not, he doesn’t watch South American leagues or U21 football scouting for his next NUFC transfer targets & he definitely wouldn’t have any opinion/emotion about unknown players from around the world.
When the team at NUFC shortlist who they want & have some contact with agent/selling clubs viz price etc post that they choose who they’ll take to YAR & his team. YAR gives specific windows of time when he can be contacted for NUFC/any one business. Can’t imagine there will be too much of that between Sept-Nov on transfers, maybe on stadium/other matters.
Its kind of easy to spot at least some stories planted by agents/selling clubs – those that give such minor clues as above. Mind the club could well have a look now & decide he’s worth it, but the approach at the club would be bottom up, not driven from the top.
P(Quote)
I’ve been supporting NUFC for 70
years, take it from me, Eddie Howe is the business, all we need is patience and his crew will get us to where we want to be. To all the doubters, be careful what you wish for because you don’t know what you’ve got till you lose it.
B. BUDD(Quote)