Palmeiras starlet Giovani missed out on a potential £15 million move to Premier League giants Newcastle United last year after suffering a serious ankle injury, Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola explains via his YouTube channel.
On a luckless Saturday afternoon, as Lille drew 1-1 away from home at Ligue 1 rivals Lens, Tiago Djalo fell to the turf clutching his knee in agony. A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament brings an end not only to his season but also his chances of a big-money summer switch to St James’ Park.
Giovani will know how Djalo feels. Because he too suffered a similar fate just last year.
One of the most talented youngsters in Brazil alongside Vitor Roque and Palmeiras team-mate Endrick de Souza; 19-year-old Giovani missed six months of action last season after damaging his ankle. If he’d had a bit more luck on his side, perhaps Giovani would now be wearing the black-and-white of Newcastle United, providing competition for Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin in the wide areas.
Newcastle battling Barcelona and Ajax to sign Giovani
“He wasn’t sold to the English club for 18 million euros,” Nicola explains. “Because he suffered a very serious injury and had to undergo surgery.”
Giovani is now back in action for Palmeiras, hoping to pick up where he left off around a year ago. Newcastle, Nicola adds, are continuing to keep tabs on a forward who’s quick feet and quick wits have seen him labelled the ‘Brazilian Jadon Sancho’.
“Newcastle are interested alongside Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona. Not to mention Ajax, who have never stopped looking at him,” Nicola adds.
Palmeiras, however, are under no immediate pressure to sell after tying Giovani down to a new deal. The Brazilian giants also have £30 million burning a hole in their pockets following the sale of fellow teenager Endrick to Real Madrid.
“Giovani recently renewed his contract with Palmeiras with a release clause of 60 million euros. Palmeiras recently accepted an offer from Real Madrid for Endrick, and feel comfortable to only accept an high offer for Giovani,” Nicola adds.
“I would say they do not want to let Giovani go for less that 25 million euros.”
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