Sky journalist claims Newcastle are in pursuit of a No. 10 who’s a ‘real talent’; he’s one of Romano’s ‘favourite talents’

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Newcastle United have been linked with Flamengo playmaker Matheus Franca in recent weeks.

Just before Christmas, Globo claimed the Magpies had ‘opened negotiations’ over the 18-year-old.

More recently, Fabrizio Romano claimed Newcastle “will push again in the next days”.

“It’s sure to be a busy January, and one potential transfer I’d keep an eye on is one of my favourite talents: Matheus Franca,” he told CaughtOffside.

“He’s doing great at Flamengo and Newcastle are interested in signing him, but there’s still no full agreement.

“Newcastle will push again in the next days, while Bayer Leverkusen have also been tracking him for a long time.”

The Magpies are apparently up against Bayer Leverkusen in pursuit of Franca.

Flamengo apparently turned down a €14m (£12m) bid from the Bundesliga side for the teenager.

Franca is thought to have a €100m (£87m) release clause in his contract.

However, clubs will apparently be looking to negotiate that figure down, as Leverkusen have tried.

‘One for the future’

On Thursday, South American football expert Tim Vickery spoke about Franca on Sky Sports News.

He told Newcastle fans what they could expect from the No. 10 were he to join the Magpies.

“Matheus França is an attacking midfielder and there is a real talent there,” he said (5/1/23, 12:54).

“He’s strong on the ball and he’s got a lovely dip of the shoulder.

“Flamengo are the experts at this model.

“They sell promises in the same way they sold Vinicius Jr and sold Lucas Paqueta.

“They sell promises in order to bring back players from Europe.

“They’ve got a very strong team and are the champions of South America.

“It’s hard for Matheus França to get a game when they’re at full strength.

“So I think Flamengo would be open to selling him but they want money for him.

“There’s not a great deal of track record there but there’s a lot of talent.

“He’s a player who, along with Andrey Santos, should be on show for Brazil later this month in the South American Under 20 Championships in Colombia.

“It’s the same place and competition that Lionel Messi showed his face for the first time 18 years ago.

“I don’t think França is going to be as good as Messi but there’s real talent there.

“An 18-year-old and one for the future.”

Newcastle going about their transfer business in the right way

Franca is extremely versatile. He played as both a striker and attacking midfielder last season.

He also has the ability to play on either wing.

It looks as though Newcastle feel Franca has real potential and could have a future in a number of roles for the Magpies.

He is already playing top-flight football in Brazil. So he could be another inspired signing if Newcastle find a breakthrough.

The Magpies are certainly going about their transfer business in the right way.

Newcastle haven’t splashed the cash. They’ve invested shrewdly and wisely in players that fit the bill, rather than high-profile marquee veterans looking for a final payday.

On top of that, they’ve also been looking to snap up talented youngsters, such as Garang Kuol.