Newcastle United and West Ham United are interested in 16-year-old Brazilian sensation Rayan Vitor Simplico
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Premier League sides Newcastle United and West Ham United are both showing interest in securing the services of Brazilian wonderkid Rayan Vitor Simplico in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 16-year-old is a right winger for Samba giants Vasco Da Gama and is garnering much interest with his performances. While he is too young to move to Europe just yet, both Newcastle United and West Ham United are set to take a page out of Barcelona’s book in tying up the teenager’s services.
The La Liga champions agreed a deal for Vitor Roque this summer and will sign the player once he is of age. Similarly, there is the scope now that the Premier League duo can complete the necessary groundwork to land Rayan in 2024.
One of the brightest young talents in Brazil at the moment, Rayan’s ascent to European football appears to be a matter of time. Brighton & Hove Albion have shown that the South American market is ripe for the taking and more Premier League sides appear to be taking the cue.
📌 According to SPORT, Rayan Vitor Simplico Costa is the subject of interest from @FCBarcelona over a possible move in the 2024 summer transfer window. Deco has discovered the 15-year-old Brazilian whizkid, who currently plays for Vasco da Gama’s under-17 side. pic.twitter.com/tafE27Lcew
— Barça Notes 🗒 (@BarcaNotes) June 19, 2022
Valued at $25million plus a percentage of future sale, Rayan could prove to be a bargain in the long term. Blessed with pace and ability on the ball, the Brazil Under-17 starlet’s ceiling is indeed immense. He is also on the radar of Barcelona, who have a reputation for landing promising young talents from South America.
Newcastle United have had a rather muted summer window despite qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. While Sandro Tonali are expected to make an instant impact, signing the Brazilian wonderkid could future proof the right wing spot for years to come.
More so, the Magpies are also a team on the rise and will be keen to compete for trophies in the near future. There remains the real possibility that the youngster could become a major star on Tyneside itself rather than use his stint as a spring board of sorts.
West Ham might not have Newcastle’s ambitions but are also a side on the rise. David Moyes could do with some promising young talent that can help him put together a long term vision at the London Stadium. Landing Rayan over more illustrious clubs would be a coup for the UEFA Conference League holders.
The Brazilian wonderkid cannot leave Vasco da Gama till 2024, as FIFA rules prohibit clubs from signing foreign players under the age of 18. The closer we get to the summer, the more heated the race for his signature should become.
