Newcastle United Interested In South American Wonderkid Along With Chelsea And Man City: The Perfect Fit For Howe? | OneFootball

Reports from Brazil suggest Newcastle United have their sights on 19-year-old Santos defender Souza. Somos Fanáticos says the Magpies are scouting the left-back much more closely as the January window is upon us. They see this move as a smart market play rather than a desperate panic buy.

Newcastle United Monitor Santos Wonderkid Souza Amidst Rising Valuation

Santos recently turned down a €10m bid from Tottenham Hotspur, which set a clear price tag for anyone else interested. So, the Brazilian club are now holding out for a fee closer to €20m. This update gives Newcastle a much better idea of the budget needed. Chelsea and Manchester City are also keeping an eye on the situation.

Even with all this interest, Newcastle haven’t made a formal offer yet. Santos aren’t in any rush to sell since they have Souza under contract until 2028. On top of that, the teenager has become a fixture in the starting lineup, which only makes the club more determined to keep him.

Now, Newcastle’s recruitment team has to decide if it’s worth fighting through a crowded race for that price. Things are still moving quickly while other Premier League heavyweights circle the same target.

Does Souza actually fit how Eddie Howe likes his team to play at St James’ Park?

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – OCTOBER 26: Souza of Santos celebrates with Álvaro Barreal after scoring the first goal of his team during the match between Botafogo and Santos as part of Brasileirao 2025 at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on October 26, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

The youngster has several qualities that Howe usually looks for in a defender. Scouts have been impressed by how well he carries the ball and his habit of drifting into the middle of the pitch. These traits fit the modern inverted full-back style perfectly.

His defensive numbers for interceptions and blocks show he has the grit needed for a high-press system. Plus, Newcastle’s left-back spot is in a bit of a long-term transition. Lewis Hall looks like the future of that position, but Dan Burn and Matt Targett are getting older and offer different styles.

Souza would likely arrive as a project player who needs some fine-tuning rather than someone who starts on day one. Even so, paying €20m for a developing player is a bit of a gamble given the league’s strict spending rules.

If the Magpies pull the trigger, they are clearly betting on his massive potential. This chase comes down to Newcastle’s strategy: do they want someone who can help right now, or do they keep stockpiling top-tier young talents before their price tags get completely out of reach?