Newcastle are apparently planning a January move for Marcos Leonardo, a Brazilian wonderkid who has been compared to a young Neymar.
Eddie Howe’s club is currently suffering from an injury crisis, with 11 first-team players missing.
They include forwards Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, as well as wingers Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, and Miguel Almiron.
While several of them are anticipated to return by January, their recent dismal form shows that the Magpies need to bolster their roster, and Marcos Leonardo has apparently been identified as a possible replacement.
This season, the 20-year-old has scored 13 goals in 27 Brazilian Serie A games for Santos, matching his total from the previous season.
He has emerged on Real Madrid’s radar, with the Spanish giants recently following a recruitment policy of recruiting young attacking players from Brazil.
If Marcos Leonardo chooses Real Madrid, he will join compatriots Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Endrick, who have all moved to Spain from their home country.
The striker, who scored five goals in five games at the U20 World Cup earlier this year, is said to be on the market for a low price.
According to Fabrizio Romano’s CaughtOffside column, the Brazilian will depart Santos in January for an asking price of £17.5 million plus add-ons.
According to the Daily Mirror, Newcastle ‘admire’ the striker and are looking to sign him in January.
However, West Ham and Roma are among the other clubs interested in signing the 20-year-old, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have previously been linked with the kid.
If the Magpies can close a deal, it might be the perfect tonic for Howe’s team as they attempt to keep their place in the Champions League for next season with a strong run of play in the second half of the season.