Newcastle transfer news: Wonderkid wants Magpies move after £14m offer

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Flamengo wonderkid Matheus Franca is reportedly keen to move to Newcastle United this January after the Magpies launched a €17m (£14m) offer to sign the Brazilian.

According to 90min, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder has his heart set on a move to the Premier League having established himself in 2022 as one of Flamengo’s most exciting talents, with Newcastle recently making a bid to sign Franca this January.

However, as per the report, the Rio de Janeiro-based club are not willing to sell Franca for £14m, with Flamengo setting an asking price of €20m (£14m) that Newcastle could soon match to bring the Brazilian youth international to St. James Park.

Franca is one of many South American wonderkids Newcastle have been linked with in recent months, yet there’s optimism around Magpies supporters that the teenage starlet could be the one who actually joins the club having missed out on the likes of Andrey Santos to Chelsea.

Indeed, Franca would be an exciting signing for Newcastle a player who could have a great long-term future at the club if the Brazilian can adjust to life in the northeast. And with the attacker himself now keen on a move, there’s a strong chance that Eddie Howe’s side can get a deal over the line.

Whilst a transfer might have to involve Newcastle paying what Flamengo want for Franca, the Toon’s immense wealth makes an extra £3m hardly anything to fight over, and the Magpies would be wise to just get the deal over the line to bring the youngster from across the Atlantic.

Newcastle must accept Flamengo’s terms to sign Franca

Franca exploded onto the Brazilian scene last season with the teenager, rightly, now being watched by some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Yet with Newcastle leading the race and the player himself keen on a move, the Magpies should bow down to Flamengo and accept their demands.

After all, £17m is a good fee for a player many tip to one day to become a full Brazilian international, and with Newcastle having money to burn, the northeast side should be doing all they can to bring Franca to England in the final days of the January transfer window.