Newcastle United could be set to bolster their midfield ranks with another south American talent…

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According to The Athletic, the Magpies are tracking a number of talents in the mould of their Australian prospect Garang Kuol.

One of those names is Andrey Santos, who at just 18 years old has been starring for Vasco da Gama in his homeland.

It is said that Eddie Howe is not desperate for first-team additions unless they offer big improvements on the current side, so this move would mark a view for the future instead.

Next Bruno

Given the creativity of this youngster, it is only right that he draws comparisons to their own Brazilian hero in Bruno Guimaraes.

The 25-year-old became an instant hit on Tyneside following his £40m January move, with five goals in his first 17 Premier League games helping propel his side from certain relegation to mid-table security.

He has since become an integral cog in their midfield, offering a tough-tackling-presence alongside an impressive ability to dictate the play from deep.

In Santos, they could replicate this in another defensive midfielder who has all the traits to replicate this Toon Army favourite.

This season in Serie B, the 5-foot-9 stalwart has eight goals in just 33 appearances from the engine room.

Despite operating quite low down the pitch, he is said to boast a technical ability far beyond many Brazilians that have come before him in England.

Juninho - whom Santos views as an idol - was quick to declare his love for the teenage sensation. The dead-ball wizard claimed that “physically, he is a monster”.

He continued: “Technically, he’s way above the others. He’s not going to be better than me, he’s going to be much better than me. He is a much more complete player. At 18, I didn’t play half as much as he does, I’m not ashamed to say that.”

With those claims coming from a man who still holds the record for most free kicks scored in history, it is clear this young talent has a monumentally high ceiling.

To sign him now would be a stroke of genius for Newcastle, who could secure their long-term replacement for their mercurial midfield maestro.