Eduardo Conceicao is regarded as one of the most promising players in South America
General view of the Allianz Parque, home of Palmeiras
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Newcastle United are continuing their policy of scouting South America for the best young talent as they look to steal a march on the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona for gems.
The Magpies appointed highly-rated scout Thomas Federspiel not long after Ross Wilson's arrival as sporting director and have targeted the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia for emerging players.
The German talent spotter's background worked with Wilson at Nottingham Forest, as well as having stints at Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim and Borussia Monchengladbach and he has been hard at work from his South America base.
Newcastle are understood to have won the race to sign Johan Martinez, a 16-year-old Ecuadorian forward who will join United officially when he turns 18. They have also been linked with Argentinian forward Lautaro Piola. The 17-year-old has been impressing at youth and reserve level for Velez Sarsfield and is said to be available for only £5million this summer.
However, it is a potential move for Brazilian youngster Eduardo Conceicao which has grabbed the headlines across South America. The 16-year-old Palmeiras youngster has yet to make his first-team debut but has already attracted interest from dozens of European clubs.
According to reports in Brazil, Newcastle have already submitted an offer of £21.5 million for the winger, but that has been knocked back by Palmeiras. It is suggested that the Magpies would need to increase their bid to around £34m to prise him away from the Brazilian Serie A league leaders.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City have all monitored the youngster, as have Barcelona. Palmeiras have placed an £86m buyout clause in his contract.
Conceicao, however, insists he is not letting any speculation get to him and says he is happy dealing with the pressure as he looks to emulate the likes of Chelsea winger Estevao and Endrick. Estevao starred for Palmeiras as a 17-year-old before moving to Chelsea for an initial £29m, while Endrick joined Real Madrid from the Brazilian club.
“The pressure is something natural for those who play for Palmeiras," Conceicao said. "We are used to dealing with it from a young age.
“I admit I do not usually read the news about me. My daily goal is to be in the best possible condition to show my value on the pitch. My agent knows that I do not even like to keep up with what happens outside football.
“My family helps me a lot in that sense. They always remind me of the importance of keeping my feet on the ground.
“I am very grateful to Palmeiras. Everything I am as a player comes from the work the club has done since I arrived. Knowing that I am valued for what I do on the pitch makes me very happy. It gives me extra motivation to keep improving every day.
“Endrick and Estevao are the biggest inspiration for all of us who are chasing our dream. I have followed their paths and I hope one day to do what they did for Palmeiras.”
The winger is most comfortable playing on the left and cutting in, although he can also play centrally. Palmeiras are understood to be in no rush to sell Conceicao, and any Newcastle deal would mean the player remaining in Brazil until his 18th birthday due to EU legislation. Competition for his services remains high, but Federspiel's appointment as first team and global talent scout for Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia has given United a strong presence in the area.
Conceicao himself, however, admits he is in no rush to move and just wants to focus on breaking into the Palmeiras side before he thinks about any transfer.
“In two years I will still be very young,” he added. “My dream is to have the opportunity to debut for Palmeiras’ first team and make a difference on the pitch, like others have done in recent seasons.”