Newcastle have now joined Crystal Palace in the race to sign Real Madrid target Matheus Franca from Flamengo.
What’s the story?
Well, the above is according to TNT Sports, who believe Eddie Howe is now showing an interest in the 18-year-old wonderkid, after Patrick Vieira already made a move.
The Daily Mail believe Crystal Palace made it clear they are willing to pay £15m for Franca, who has burst onto the scene in Brazilian football amid comparisons to Brazil World Cup star Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid are also said to have an interest – according to the Daily Mail – and the Spanish giants are no strangers to hoovering up South America’s best talent.
Los Blancos sealed a £38.7m deal to sign Vinicius Junior from Flamengo when he was just 18 years of age, and also signed another prodigy who has gone on to play for Brazil at the current World Cup in Rodrygo Goes.
Now, Crystal Palace are starting to look like a small fish in a very big pond, as Newcastle and their significant financial power join Real Madrid in the race for Franca.
The teenager has become a key man for Flamengo despite his lack of experience, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in 25 appearances for the Brazilian giants.
Newcastle follow through with plans amid interest in Crystal Palace & Real Madrid target
A few weeks ago, a report from iNews emerged which claimed that Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi plan to tap into the South American market, and sign some of the best talents from that part of the globe.
Newcastle have already signed Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes, and 90min believe they are now confident of beating Barcelona to the signing of Vasco da Gama wonderkid Andrey Santos.
Therefore, it sounds as if that piece of information from iNews was true, and should the Magpies get their hands on both Santos and Franca, Howe’s squad would start to look even more frightening.
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