Newcastle United launch a €25 million bid to sign Santos sensation Angelo Gabriel
According to Area Napoli, Premier League side Newcastle United have launched a €25 million bid to land highly rated Santos starlet Angelo Gabriel ahead of the January transfer window.
The 17-year-old is already a veteran of sorts for the Brazilian giants and has made 96 appearances, scoring thrice and making nine assists across all competitions. He is only bound to get better with time and could emerge as a world-class player in the years to come.
Primarily a right winger, Gabriel is equally capable of playing anywhere in midfield and in the attack. Technically proficient and with an eye for a pass, the teenager possesses the tools needed to make an impact in an attacking role.
This has caught the attention of several of Europe’s top sides including Napoli and Barcelona. Newcastle, for their part, are keen to trump the competitors and have already launched a bid for the 17-year-old.
A major hurdle in the Magpies’ pursuit is that Barcelona hold the first refusal on the player’s services. The terms of the agreement are yet unclear but the Catalans appear to have a veto that could see them swoop in and land the player for themselves should certain conditions be met.
Money should not be an issue for Newcastle, given their newfound wealth from the middle east. The same cannot be said of Barcelona who are embroiled in a financial mess and have much work to do to extract themselves from it.
A highly rated talent, Gabriel made his debut for Santos at the tender age of 15 years, 10 months and four days. This makes him the second youngest player to don the club’s colours, only behind Coutinho. The fact that he was younger than the legendary Pele by 11 days on his debut speaks volumes about his potential.
A move to Newcastle should provide him with the platform and facilities needed to take his talent to the next level. The Magpies have emerged as top-four contenders this season and are certainly a team on the rise. If all goes well, Gabriel could go on to become a mainstay at St James Park for years to come.
Gabriel will turn 18 this December, meaning he will be free to move to Europe as soon as the 2023 January transfer window. Whether Newcastle will land their man or Barcelona will play spoilsport remains to be seen.
