Journalist Fabrizio Romano says that Newcastle United have had a bid rejected for Flamengo attacking midfielder Matheus Franca.

The Lowdown: Bids made

Romano reported last week that Newcastle had made a bid worth €16m (£14m) for Franca, who has also been courted by Real Madrid and Lyon.

Journalist Jacque Talbot then claimed on Tuesday night that the St. James' Park outfit have also bid for Everton attacker Anthony Gordon, suggesting that the final third is an area that they are keen to strengthen going into the last week of the transfer window.

The Latest: Bid rejected

Taking to Twitter again, Romano has since shared that Newcastle's bid for Franca has been rejected, but 'talks continue' with Flamengo over a potential deal, alongside Gordon:

"Negotiations on between Newcastle and Everton for Anthony Gordon. He’s in the list alongside Matheus Franca — talks ongoing as @CraigHope_DM has reported.

"Understand Flamengo have turned down €16m bid from Newcastle for Franca but talks continue."

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/" title="Newcastle news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

The Verdict: Get both in!

While the North East club are going well at the moment, having just won their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg clash 1-0 away at Southampton on Tuesday night, and keeping six clean sheets in a row in the Premier League, they are having some troubles in front of goal.

They have only managed to score nine goals in nine games in total in all competitions since the restart after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and have started the same team four games in a row.

Thus, they could do with some rotation, especially in attacking areas, in order to keep the side fresh and hopefully turn their fortunes around in front of goal.

After letting Chris Wood go out on loan to Nottingham Forest, Eddie Howe is in need of more options in his squad, and Franca and Gordon would help with that, with the former an exciting Brazilian talent who has already played 28 times for Flamengo by the age of just 18, scoring seven goals (Transfermarkt), and has won both the Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores.

Nonetheless, it looks like the Magpies need to increase their bid for Franca, and make sure that they get this deal over the line.