Crystal Palace and Newcastle United have reportedly been linked with a move for Brazilian whizkid Matheus Franca, who will cost around €20 million.
According to Lance, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United will have to cough up €20 million to secure the services of Flamengo wonderkid Matheus Franca.
Linked with Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Lyon in recent weeks, Franca looks like a huge talent. And it is not surprising to see this level of interest in him ahead of the summer. It says a lot about the ability that Franca possesses when the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City show an interest.
A Brazil Under-20 international, Franca started his career in the Flamengo academy and made his debut for the first team in 2021. He has racked up 25 appearances this season for Flamengo, scoring three goals.
The attacker, who can play across the forward line, possesses a contract at the Maracana until 2027 and has a ridiculous €200 million release clause inserted in his current deal, leaving Flamengo in an extremely strong position with regards to his future.
The Brazilian Serie A outfit will be under no pressure to sell Franca, considering they sold Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers last January and would only be tempted by offers above €25 million to sell 100% of the player’s economic rights, meaning there would be no sell-on clause involved. The Brazilian outfit could decrease their asking price to €20 million if they get 20 percent of his next transfer fee.
The Eagles have Albert Sambi Lokonga, Jeffrey Schlupp, Luka Milivojevic, and James McArthur all out of contract at the end of the season. So chiefs Dougie Freedman and Steve Parish will need to scour the market to find some central reinforcements. And Franca is one of the names to have been linked.
His pace, unrivalled Brazilian flair, close control, and agility would perfectly complement fellow playmaker Eberechi Eze, who is another maestro oozing with irresistible mastery. Newcastle, meanwhile, are thought to have had three bids turned down for Franca in January.
The Magpies could be set to reopen talks for Franca as they look to revive their pursuit. Despite their enormous financial power, the Toon have mostly signed talented young players with their peak years ahead of them rather than opting for superstar signings who might be expected to hit the ground running straight away.
Franca looks like another player who could fit in nicely alongside the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, and Alexander Isak in this ever-improving Eddie Howe side. The report adds that there are several top clubs in for Franca this summer. So it remains to be seen how easy it will be for either Palace or Newcastle to get this deal done, although the latter can now offer Champions League football following their confirmed qualification on Monday night.
