‘NEW VINICIUS JR’ RULES OUT JOINING NEWCASTLE OR CRYSTAL PALACE THIS MONTH

Matheus Franca admits he will stay at Flamengo until the end of 2023 amid claims that Premier League duo Newcastle United and Crystal Palace have made approaches for the Brazilian winger, speaking via O Gol.

Franca, like Vinicius Jr, has risen through the ranks at Flamengo; from academy prospect to the first-team starlet. Franca, like Vinicius Jr, plays with a confidence and a poise that belies his tender age, wreaking havoc with his speed and skill.

The teenager’s ‘new Vini Jr’ moniker, then, certainly has its roots in reality. 18-year-old Franca is one of Brazil’s most exciting young talents – and that’s saying something, given the South American nation has more glittering gems than a DeBeers catalog – with his matchwinning display in the 1-0 Campeonato Carioca victory over Audax this month a thrilling glimpse of things to come.

“I’m focused on Flamengo,” says Franca, committing his immediate future to the Scarlet and Black outfit. “My season will be (spent) here.”

NEWCASTLE, CRYSTAL PALACE, AND MAN CITY LIKE FLAMENGO WINGER MATHEUS FRANCA

According to Globo Esporte, Newcastle opened talks to sign Franca recently. The former Brazil U16 international is one of a number of exciting up-and-comers on Newcastle’s radar, joining the likes of Alan Varela and Ivan Fresneda. The Magpies missed out on fellow Brazilian Andrey Santos, however; the former Vasco da Gama man opted to join Chelsea’s Frankenstein squad instead.