Newcastle United are expected to miss out on a deal for highly-rated Brazilian wonderkid Matheus Franca this month and may have to revisit the deal in the summer. The Flamengo attacking midfielder, 18, burst onto the scene in Brazil's top flight and has attracted significant interest across Europe of late.
All recent attempts to persuade Flamengo to sell have so far been fruitless, with the South American side under no pressure to lose the teenager given he is happy to stay and develop at the club. Newcastle have submitted a number of bids but Flamengo want north of £20m and a significant sell-on fee to part ways in the near future, Chronicle Live understands.
That caveat to the deal could see Newcastle, or any other suitors, pay Flamengo up to 40 or 50 per cent of any future transfer fee they receive for the exciting young talent.
The Serie A side are also expected to lose 21-year-old Joao Gomes before the end of the window, with Wolves and Lyon among those fighting it out over a £16m deal, which is complicating Franca's exit further.
The youngster is under contract until 2027 and speaking recently, Flamengo’s vice president Marcos Braz admitted he did not want to lose Franca before the end of January. "We do not put Matheus Franca up for sale," Braz told Brazilian media.
"He is not for sale. We are not interested in negotiating for Matheus Franca at this moment."
Franca is the type of player that suits Newcastle's transfer profile at present. Rather than focusing on stars ready-made for first-team life on Tyneside, the focus has shifted to signing young, hungry talent that can one day knock on the door of the senior side.
Newcastle were keen to add Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda to their ranks this month but appear to have been knocked out of the race by other European sides. They are also trying to secure a deal for Everton wantaway Anthony Gordon.
The Toffees flyer has now missed training for three days in a row as he tries to force a move away from Goodison Park. Chronicle Live understands Newcastle are hoping to get a deal close to £40million for the Liverpool-born player.
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