Newcastle on verge of €19m transfer for Brazilian centre-back

Galatasaray defender Marcao is on the verge of signing for Newcastle United, according to reports.

Turkish newspaper Aksam report that a deal is close between the two parties for the 24-year-old Brazilian centre-back.

The report claims Newcastle made an initial offer of €22m, but Galatasaray insisted they wanted a percentage from his next transfer.

Subsequently the Magpies have revised their offer to €19m plus 10% of any future sale.

That offer is currently being analysed by Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim, but Aksam report that Gala are likely to accept the terms so that they can strengthen their squad.

Serie A side Atalanta have also been linked with Marcao, while West Ham were chasing the player in March. Hammers scouts had watched him on numerous occasions.

Marcao, who has started following Newcastle’s official Instagram account, only joined the Turkish giants in January 2019, leaving Portuguese side Chaves for €6.3m.

 

 

He seemed destined to remain in Turkey this summer after claiming in March he was “very happy”.

He told Fotomac: “I am very happy at Galatasaray. Currently, the only thought is to win our remaining games and become champions.

“I have learned a lot from Fatih Terim, he has been teaching me to help my development. Galatasaray is my home and I have no intention of leaving unless they send me.”

He made 39 appearances in all competitions for Gala last season, and his two years remaining on his deal in Istanbul.

Newcastle chase Ibe

Meanwhile, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are the leading contenders to sign a former Liverpool forward who is currently a free agent.

Both The Magpies and Eagles are expected to be working with limited transfer budgets this window.

As such, approaches for free agent players could become a hallmark of their summer business.

Following Palace’s £19.5m acquisition of exciting forward Eberechi Eze from QPR, attention has now turned to cheaper reinforcements.

Newcastle’s situation appears even more financially restricted, with just free agents Mark Gillespie and Jeff Hendrick arriving thus far.

Both sides are on the lookout for value in the market, and according to the latest reports, their search has led them to ex-Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe.

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