Brazil media claim Newcastle United transfer bid 'imminent' for 20-goal forward - Eddie Howe responds
Newcastle United transfers: Eddie Howe has responded to reports in Brazil suggesting a bid for Rayan Vitor is imminent.
Newcastle United have been scouting South America for young talent over the past couple of years, but are yet to make a formal move to sign a player from the continent.
The Magpies have had huge success with the signings of Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, with the pair proving hugely popular on Tyneside.
But both players joined the club having already established themselves in Europe, rather than directly from their home country.
Many top clubs have dedicated scouting networks across South America, 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.
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Brazilian media link Newcastle United with imminent bid
A name that has been linked to Newcastle this season is Vasco de Gama’s Rayan Vitor. The 19-year-old forward scored 20 goals for Vasco in 2025 and has been tipped for a big money move to Europe in the near future.
He has also been linked with a move to the Premier League with Bournemouth this month. Though it’s worth noting that the links, as often proves to be the case with Brazilian youngsters, come from sources linked to the player or club in question rather than anything concrete on Newcastle’s end.
The Brazilian media have been going big on the Newcastle transfer links this month. Although ESPN Brazil claimed Newcastle’s interest in Rayan has cooled due to the player’s £70million release clause, other outlets have suggested a bid is imminent.
Leading Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte have claimed that Vasco de Gama believes Newcastle could submit a bid for Rayan ‘today’ and the forward would not face Flamengo on Thursday should that bid arrive.
While scouting Brazil and South America is a recruitment strategy new sporting director Ross Wilson is keen to explore further, head coach Eddie Howe has poured cold water on this link in particular.
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Eddie Howe shuts down NUFC transfer claim
On Sunday, Howe said Newcastle don’t have the ‘financial ability’ to make any attacking additions this month, and ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven, the Newcastle head coach directly shut down the Rayan link.
When asked about a potential bid for the Brazilian teenager, Howe responded: “There's no truth in that.”
Newcastle have less than two weeks to make any additions to their squad in the winter transfer window. While attacking signings have been ruled out, there remains a possibility of a defensive addition following Fabian Schar’s long-term injury.
The Swiss defender is set to miss the next three months following surgery on his ankle while Tino Livramento is also ruled out until around March with a hamstring injury.