An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United's plans for the January transfer window as they close in on their first signing of 2023...

What's the talk?

Journalist Guido Bortolomasi has claimed, via Brazilian youth football expert Andre Noruega, that the Magpies are closing in on the signing of Angelo Gabriel for a fee in the region of £22m.

The teenage forward is poised to arrive at St James' Park as their first signing of the January window from Santos, with the deal able to go through as he can sign a professional contract from December onwards.

Noruega tweeted: "According to @gbortolomasi, Santos will sell Ângelo Gabriel to Newcastle for €25m, transfer to happen in January as the player turn 18 in December. Ângelo is one of the most promising talents in Brazil and has already played 92 professional games for Santos aged just 17.."

Eddie Howe's own Neymar?

The Magpies head coach could be set to land his own version of Neymar if the Tyneside club are able to get a deal over the line for the attacker, who talent scout Jacek Kulig believes has "crazy potential".

His former coach Betinho previously lauded the young gem and compared him to the Paris Saint-Germain star, saying: "He is like Neymar in terms of his dribbling at speed and his change of direction."

This is backed up by his statistics in the Brazilian Serie A, as he has completed 3.3 dribbles per match at a success rate of 68%, which shows that he excels at taking the ball past opposition defenders.

Meanwhile, Neymar has completed 4.3 dribbles per game across his career, and Gabriel is showing that he has a similar drive in possession of the ball.

Argentine coach Holan also heaped praise on the Santos youngster, saying: “I see a lot of potential in Angelo. he is a boy who likes to go for the goal. I really like Brazilian football, and Angelo plays Brazilian football. This essence of dribbling, of taking on the opponent, is very important.

“He has a huge future. By working hard, he will be able to play not only at Santos, but I believe that, in the future, he will be able to play in major leagues around the world."

Gabriel has already played 92 matches for his club by the age of 17 and has chipped in with three goals and seven assists. His goal contributions do not stand out as being particularly impressive on surface level, but to rack up 92 senior games before turning 18 is an astonishing achievement, which highlights his vast potential.

Therefore, Newcastle could land their own version of PSG and former Barcelona forward Neymar - who has scored 287 club career goals - by signing the 17-year-old. It is a gamble at such a young age, but the statistics and quotes around the gem suggest that it could be a phenomenal signing for the future of the Tyneside club.