Newcastle United have reportedly set their sights on Vasco da Gama’s 18-year-old breakout attacking sensation Eguinaldo.
Newcastle are reportedly in talks to secure the services of Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos and have expressed an interest in his teammate Eguinaldo as well. That’s according to 90min, who also confirms that the Magpies have enquired about the versatile 18-year-old attacker as the Premier League outfit plot a double raid on the second-tier Brazilian outfit.
Eguinaldo came through the ranks of lower league side Artsul before arriving at Vasco da Gama on loan with an option to buy in January this year. The 18-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the last ten months or so. He broke into the first team in July, and his loan stay was made permanent for around €120k a few days after he turned 18 in August, penning a five-year deal at Estadio Sao Januario.
The teenager has scored three goals in 15 appearances for the second-tier club and can play across the front three. He was also invited to train with Brazil’s Under-20s over the summer. Although it was not an official call-up, it was his first exposure to the national team setup.
Eguinaldo has also been involved with Vasco’s Under-20s and has starred with 9 goals and 3 assists in 9 appearances before bursting onto the scene. Despite his tender years and limited experience, he is already garnering strong interest, with Newcastle, among others, interested in securing his signature.
Vasco vai contar com “estrela” de Eguinaldo em São Januário para vencer o Novorizontino https://t.co/NfOTSwMLMk pic.twitter.com/RkDz5Xz5Z9
— Papo Na Colina – Notícias do Vasco (@PapoNaColina) October 8, 2022
As per the above report, the Toon scouts have been impressed with his performances and a move for the teenage forward is firmly on their agenda, though talks are not as far along as they are with his teammate Santos.
Toon chief scout Steve Nickson has been scouring the South American markets for bargain talent in recent years, with the Magpies’ signing the likes of Santiago Munoz and Rodrigo Vilca from Mexican and Peruvian leagues, respectively.
While the moves for the aforementioned players have not worked out as planned, with the financial backing of Saudi owners, they can now churn the cream from the region. Having been linked with the likes of Angelo, Santos, and Endrick, Eguinaldo appears to be the latest South American on Newcastle’s radar as they look to increase the Brazilian contingent in their squad.
Newcastle have signed highly-coveted talent Garang Kuol from A-League side Central Coast Mariners earlier this month, with Sporting Director Dan Ashworth helping the club build a competent academy and first-team squad for the present and the future.
Many of his acquisitions will not have an instant impact, but he is usually spot-on with his recruiting, with Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma, Enock Mwepu, and Tariq Lamptey a few examples. Eguinaldo is certainly one to watch, he has only shown flashes of his true potential and is still very raw.
So, it would not be surprising if Newcastle sent him on a series of developmental loan spells before integrating him into the first-team squad if they do end up signing the prodigy.
