Flamengo's Matheus Franca celebrates scoring
Newcastle United are interested in signing Flamengo youngster Matheus Franca and are looking at the Brazilian market, journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed.
The Lowdown: Franca an exciting prospect
The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene at Flamengo, already racking up 26 appearances for the Brazilian giants and scoring seven goals for good measure.
Franca, who plays mostly as an attacking midfielder or second striker, has been linked with a move to Newcastle already this month, as Eddie Howe looks to bring in both young talent for the future and established stars for the here and now.
The teenager’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2027, but it looks as though Magpies are serious about making a deal happen anyway.
The Latest: Newcastle eyeing move
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Taylor said that Franca is definitely a target for Newcastle, who could also look at other players currently plying their trade in Brazil:
“You look at Newcastle’s team, and although they’ve been exceptional already this season you look at that [midfield] as an area that could be upgraded.
“I know there has been interest in Matheus Franca and Newcastle are looking at that Brazilian market as one where there could be opportunities. That’s down to Dan Ashworth.”
The Verdict: One for the future
While Franca is clearly a big talent with a bright future – he won six caps for Brazil’s Under-16s – he would be more of a long-term acquisition than anything.
He is still extremely young and has no experience of playing in Europe, so he would need to be eased in by Howe, maturing alongside older teammates and not being thrown in at the deep end.
The fact that Franca is believed to be on Real Madrid and Manchester City’s radar says a lot about his potential, though, and the attacker has been hailed as a ‘great finisher’ by coach Fabio Matias.
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