Newcastle United target Matheus Franca has been hailed as a player with real talent amid the January transfer reports by Sky Sports' South American expert, Tim Vickery.

What's the latest?

The Magpies have been linked with a potential swoop for the Flamengo youngster this month as Eddie Howe looks to strengthen the fight on Tyneside for a spot in the Champions League.

And the reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has now claimed he is expecting the Magpies to begin their push for the 18-year-old again in the coming days.

Franca has only made 25 appearances for the Brazilian side in which he has been able to find the back of the net on six occasions (via Transfermarkt).

And despite the majority of those appearances coming from the bench, Vickery has been left wowed by the youngster from what he has seen in his early stages of his career in Brazil:

(27:50) "He's an attacking midfielder. And there is real talent there. He's very strong on the ball. He's got a lovely dip in the shoulder.

"As I'm saying Flamengo are the experts at this model. They sell promises. They sold Vinicius Jr. They sold Lucas Paqueta, they sell promises in order to bring back players from Europe.

"They have a very strong team Flamengo. They are the champions of South America. It's hard for Matheus Franca to get a game when they're at full strength. So I think Flamengo would be open to selling him but they want money for him."

One for the future

The Magpies are flying high this season in the Premier League with a real grasp on the top four following their bright start to the 2022/23 campaign.

However, Eddie Howe has expressed his belief that this month's transfer window may be restrained by their need to adhere to the FFP regulations.

With this in mind, it does seem as if big money moves for their believed target James Maddison could be put back until the summer window where funds may be more accessible for the Toon.

And given the funds for big moves this month may not be there, this is seemingly providing PIF with an opportunity to build for the future through young prospects such as Franca.

Newcastle have already seen Garang Kuol arrive on Tyneside following his signing over the summer after the Australian was identified as a potential star of the future by Newcastle.

But it will be interesting to see whether the potential signing of Franca would see the Brazilian play a part in Howe's squad for the remainder of the campaign if he is to join.

Having played so few games in his homeland, and of such a young age, it would make a lot of sense if the Magpies were to loan him back to Flamengo or to find him a possible short-term deal with a European side as they're seemingly doing with Kuol.