Newcastle United linked with 17-goal teenager available for £25m - few had heard of him until 2025
Newcastle United have been linked with a fresh batch of Brazilian talent as the club’s scouting network in South America continues to take shape.
Newcastle United have been scouting South America for young talent over the past couple of years, but are yet to sign a player from the continent.
The Magpies have had success with the signings of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton with the Brazilian duo proving hugely popular in the dressing room and with supporters. But both players were signed having already established themselves in Europe.
Historically, the likes of Brazil and Argentina have produced world-class players on a remarkably consistent basis. And most of those players started their careers in their home countries.
So it makes sense that many top clubs have dedicated scouting networks across South Amercia, something Newcastle’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson has been setting up in recent seasons. Borja de Matias was appointed at Newcastle’s head of scouting for South America in 2023 but left his role earlier this year to pursue an opportunity in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Qadsiah.
Newcastle have regularly scouted players in Brazil in recent seasons and held a genuine interest in midfielder Andrey Santos before he joined Chelsea in 2023. Two years later, the 21-year-old is a full Brazil international and a regular member of Chelsea’s matchday squad this season.
The Magpies were also linked with Vitor Reis during his time at Palmeiras last season before he joined Manchester City in January 2025.
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Newcastle United linked with Brazilian duo
Reports from Brazil have recently linked Newcastle with 21-year-old Palmeiras midfielder Allan Elias. He has scored eight goals in 48 appearances from midfield and is under contract until 2029.
Bolavip Brasil claimed Newcastle want to reach an immediate agreement with Palmeiras, but the player won’t come cheap.
Elsewhere, a name gathering traction recently has been Vasco de Gama’s Rayan Vitor. The 19-year-old forward is rated at £25million and has scored 17 goals for Vasco in 2025.
Despite having two Brazil internationals in their squad, Newcastle are yet to really tap into the Brazilian market - opting for players proven in Europe or the Premier League over a potential gamble on a young Brazilian.
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Take Brazil links with a pinch of salt
While Newcastle have scouts in Brazil and have held an interest in such players previously, you do have to question where the links are emerging from. In almost every case, the sources have been linked to the player or club in question rather than anything concrete on Newcastle’s end.
As such, it’s perhaps no coincidence that, of the dozens of young players linked to Newcastle in the Brazilian media over the past few seasons, no transfers have come to fruition.
But it’s a market Newcastle are actively trying to tap into as the club searches for greater value and potential away from the Premier League. The Magpies came close to being punished by Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules in 2024, which forced them to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh for £35million (-£20million for Odysseas Vlachodimos) and £33million to Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively.