Newcastle United are in talks for Matheus Franca with the Magpies hoping to win the race for the Flamengo teenager in January.
That’s according to Globo Esporte in Brazil, who claim that Newcastle have ‘opened negotiations’ to sign Franca.
Franca, 18, is considered to be Flamengo’s next big talent after they sold Vinicius Junior to Real Madrid back in 2018.
The attacking midfielder has already played 25 times for Flamengo’s first team and has bagged six goals in the process.
Newcastle seem to be making a push for Franca’s signature, possibly in response to a transfer disappointment this week.
The Magpies have been courting Vasco da Gama talent Andrey Santos for some time and looked to be favourites to sign him.
Yet Chelsea have now swooped in and look set to sign him instead, meaning Newcastle are set to miss out on a top young Brazilian target.
Newcastle don’t want that to happen again and now appear to be making their move for Franca in the hope of fending off competition.
There has been huge interest in Newcastle target Matheus Franca
Newcastle are no doubt aware that other clubs fancy Franca.
The Daily Mail reported in November that Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all chasing Franca.
That report suggested that Franca has an £87million release clause in his contract, but Newcastle can expect to pay much less.
Receiving interest from clubs like City and Real just goes to show how highly Franca is rated at such a young age.
This would be a huge coup for Newcastle and another addition to their Brazilian ranks alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
This is only talks as things stand and Newcastle still have plenty of work to do to get a deal done.
Yet having missed out on Santos this week, maybe we can expect to see Newcastle push to get Franca snapped up pretty quickly.
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