Newcastle aim to sign ‘powerhouse’ for an estimated £69m which could surpass Barnes

Newcastle United are yet to taste defeat in 2026, playing in both the FA Cup and Premier League.

However, the win was not easy as the Toon needed two late goals to overcome a tough challenge from Leeds United in their last league match.

What’s more, a penalty shootout at the weekend could separate Eddie Howe’s side from AFC Bournemouth after the frenetic cup game ended 3-3 after extra time.

Surprisingly, despite the high number of goals flowing, Newcastle have been linked with the addition of some new and exciting forwards this month…

Newcastle could sign exciting attacker for £20m

Howe said at the end of an entertaining win against the Cherries that the match was quite spectacular for the “neutral” crowd as the Toon continued to make their presence felt as a free-flowing clock in the attacking area.

As long as the wins continue, Howe won’t be concerned about his players’ enthusiastic approach. Newcastle are now thought to be looking to add quick youngster Matheus Mane from Wolverhampton Wanderers to make their forward line even more destructive.

Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder also reports that the Premier League entertainers could soon sign Vasco de Gama’s rising star Rayan Vitor for just £20 million, with the 19-year-old continuing to be tracked by those on Tyneside.

According to the report, new scout Thomas Federspiel is looking for hidden gems in South America, and Ryan, who was once rumored to have a bold release clause of £69m in his contract, is attracting attention in this regard.

However, more realistically, £20m might be enough to get him a regular in Brazil’s U20 squad. The Northern giants could acquire an even bigger talent than the man of the hour, Harvey Barnes, by pursuing a deal for the Rio de Janeiro-born star.

Comparison of Rayanne and Burns

It’s hard to name a team in all of Newcastle’s divisions who are currently performing as impressively as Barnes.

Indeed, the former Leicester City winger has been a man under possession in recent games, scoring an incredible four goals in four days, including a dramatic double in both games against Leeds and Bournemouth.

The FA Cup-winning forward currently leads Toon as their top scorer in all competitions with 11 goals to his name.

But surprisingly, back in his native Brazil, the teenage sensation continues to live up to the ‘game-changing’ label given to him by Vasco coach Fernando Vinis, scoring an eye-catching 20 goals across 2025.

Barnes is nine years older and the concern will be whether the number 11 can maintain his ferocious level in the long term. Barnes, 28, has also had recurring injury problems and has missed 38 games in his three seasons at the club due to lengthy stays in the treatment room.

On the contrary, Ryan is just getting started in his native Brazil, and a move to England could reveal even greater talent, with No. 77 Vasco having previously attracted the attention of Liverpool and Manchester United with his devastating displays at the Maracanã Stadium.

Described by Como scout Ben Mattinson as a “technical man”, Ryan is second to none in terms of his versatility as an attacker, with the 19-year-old confident of switching between right-wing and striker roles when required, and has seen nine of his 23 career goals for the Blackshirts come from a centre-forward role.

The Premier League forward has only played five games in his career as a striker himself, and his preferred position on the pitch is undoubtedly on the left.

Howe has earned a reputation as a manager adept at getting the best out of the next generation, as seen with Lewis Miley recently becoming a first-team regular, and he is keen to acquire another young talent ready to explode for England.

Barnes is a bold attacking star that Toon rely on at the moment, but a swap for Brazil on Tyneside could see him surpass the former England international in the future.