Newcastle United are facing competition from Chelsea and Barcelona to land exciting Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos.
But with fully-fledged World Cup star Bruno Guimaraes on board, the club have a great selling point to the 18-year-old. Suggestions in the capital this week were that the Blues were in advanced talks but Newcastle are in a great position with Santos.
Indeed, the teenager shares the same agent as Bruno and looks up to the Newcastle star. Santos is a defensive midfielder but can play further up the pitch. He is in the same Bertolucci Sports stable that helped secure Bruno's move from Lyon last winter.
United's excellent relationship with Bruno's representatives could give them the edge on the deal for the kid from Vasco da Gama. Another client that has been recommended to Newcastle from Brazil is Fiorentina right-back Dodo. The 24-year-old has impressed in Serie A this season after arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer.
Of course, we are now entering the intense period of transfer talk ahead of the January window. United have already been offered defenders, midfielders, strikers and even keepers. But with Dan Ashworth at the wheel and Eddie Howe having a big say in the recruitment, there is a plan in place to get players that are going to both freshen up the squad and improve competition in key areas.
A clutch of younger players - including midfielder Joe White - will be heading out on loan but decisions on more of the senior fringe players are still up for discussion with no firm decisions made at this stage.
Newcastle set to jet off to Saudi Arabia this weekend
The Magpies will embark on their week long stay in Riyadh on Sunday as they fly out on a chartered SAUDIA plane ahead of their clash with Al-Hilal. Commerical activities involving Saudia are also planned during their stay in the Middle East.
Fans who entered competitions are set to meet the team this week but Saudia's involvement won't end next week with a partnership agreed until the end of the season. Speaking about the partnership last month Peter Silvestone, the club's CCO, said: "Whilst Newcastle United is on an exciting and ambitious journey to grow our global reach and fanbase, we are also very focussed on growing our fan base and following in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East."
Jamaal Lascelles keen to fight for his place
Despite being linked with his old club Nottingham Forest, the preferred choice for Toon skipper Jamaal Lascelles is to remain at St James' Park.
Lascelles will get game-time in Saudi Arabia and is in contention to play against AFC Bournemouth in the League Cup last 16. Lascelles put in a strong performance against Crystal Palace in the last round. The 29-year-old has two years left on his current deal and while he has started just one Premier League match this season, he will be expected to get more time on the pitch during the hectic Christmas period.
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