Newcastle United are trying to sign Matheus Franca in this January transfer window.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Magpies have made a bid for the Flamengo star worth around £14m, and it sounds as though the Tyneside club are making some real headway on that front.
Indeed, while we’ve not had any indication as to whether or not that bid has been accepted at this point, it sounds as though Flamengo are now making plans for a future without Franca.
According to The Mail, the Brazilian outfit have already got a replacement for the attacker in mind. They want to bring in Manchester United youngster, Facundo Pellistri in on loan to replace the potentially Newcastle-bound forward.
The fact that Flamengo are already looking at ways to replace Franca would suggest that the Magpies have a reach chance of signing the youngster, while one has to imagine that Flamengo stand a great chance of landing Pellistri too.
The Brazilian club already have a decent relationship with Manchester United having taken Andreas Pereira on loan from them last season, while Pellistri is very much surplus to requirements at Old Trafford right now – appearing just once this season.
The Uruguayan would probably relish the chance to head back to South America and play regular first-team football, and given that Flamengo have been one of the most successful sides in that part of the world in recent years – they’re the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, you would suggest that this move would strongly appeal to the 21-year-old.
It looks as though all of the wheels are now in motion for these deals to get done. Newcastle have made their bid for Franca, and Flamengo have their replacement lined up in the shape of Pellistri.
Don’t be surprised if these moves go through in the coming days.
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