Newcastle United continue to scour Brazil for the country's best young talent as sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson look for raw gems to bolster the club's youth setup.
Interest in Vasco da Gama youngster Andrey Santos, 18, has been heavily reported in recent months, with the defensive midfielder catching the eye in Brazil's second tier. Now it is the turn of team-mate, Eguinaldo.
The 18-year-old winger has dazzled for Vasco da Gama this season, recently penning a new five-year deal at the club. A £26m release clause has been inserted into the new contract, with a host of suitors around Europe chasing his signature.
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"There is an observation, yes, from Newcastle, over Eguinaldo," the player's agent told Canal do Pedrosa. "But there is also the observation of several other clubs. These are very early things, and they are not even considered negotiations or anything very official.”
Newcastle's interest in Brazilian talent is nothing new. Over the summer, Chronicle Live reported Magpies chief Nickson was in the stands to see long-term Toon target Gabriel Barbosa and Angelo Gabriel during a clash between Flamengo vs Santos.
Nickson spearheaded Bruno Guimaraes' move from Lyon in January when the player was on international duty and played a role in Joelinton's 2019 switch from Hoffenheim. The Newcastle chief has been networking again as he eyes more talent straight from south America before they are snapped up elsewhere in Europe.
However, it looks like West Ham are following suit. The club's Head of Recruitment Rob Newman was spotted at Vasco da Gama's training ground last week, posing for a photo with the Brazil side's home shirt, while presenting his hosts with a maroon Hammers jersey.
The east London outfit are said to be creating a scouting network in Rio de Janeiro to give them a better understanding of up and coming players from Vasco, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo.
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