Newcastle United are all set to rival Chelsea and Barcelona in their pursuit of Santos defensive sensation Souza.
According to a report from Calciomercato, Chelsea, Barcelona and Newcastle United are all keen on signing Souza, who has made quite a name for himself with his impressive performances for Santos.
The 19-year-old full-back has come up the ranks at the Brazilian club. He got promoted to their first team at the start of 2024 and hasn’t looked back since.
So far, he has made 38 first-team appearances and has even contributed towards five goals. While his first full season wasn’t that great, he was involved in 24 league games in the second season and did put in quite a few impressive performances.
European giants want Souza
While his contract with Santos runs until the end of 2028, he is unlikely to be around for long as he finds himself on the wishlist of some of the biggest clubs in the world. Barcelona, Chelsea and Newcastle are all keeping tabs on the teenager, who has the potential to be a top player.
They have been scouting him on a regular basis and could look to lure him away in the near future. The Catalan giants are looking for someone who can cover for Alejandro Balde and even compete with him for a place in the XI.
Meanwhile, he is a perfect fit for Chelsea’s transfer policy, which revolves around signing the best young players. But both clubs will face competition from Newcastle, who have been actively looking to sign young players with massive potential to build a strong project for the long run.
The Magpies seek more depth at the back, and Souza could be a great acquisition for Eddie Howe’s team. Since the Brazilian club values him at €11-12 million, the price tag won’t be a problem for any of the three clubs. So, it might come down to the project and the role that they are willing to offer him.