South America has long been a breeding ground for elite football talent, with countries like Brazil and Argentina producing world-class players generation after generation. Many of those stars begin their journeys at local clubs before making the leap to Europe, which is why top teams across the world invest heavily in scouting the region.
Newcastle United are no different, and in recent seasons the club has quietly built a strong presence across South America as part of a long-term recruitment plan.
Much of that work has been driven by Newcastle’s head of recruitment, Steve Nickson, who has focused on identifying young talent early, before prices spiral out of control. In 2023, the club strengthened that approach by appointing Borja de Matias as head of South American scouting. Although de Matias has since left to take up a role in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadsiah, the foundations he helped put in place remain part of Newcastle’s wider strategy.
That strategy has already seen the Magpies seriously consider several highly rated players from Brazil. Newcastle were keen admirers of Andrey Santos before he moved to Chelsea in 2023, when he was still a teenager making waves at Vasco da Gama.
Two years on, Santos is a full Brazil international and a regular feature in Chelsea’s matchday squads, a clear example of how quickly talent from the region can rise. Newcastle were also strongly linked with Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis before he completed a move to Manchester City in January 2025.
With Ross Wilson now overseeing sporting operations, there is a clear desire to continue this forward-thinking approach. The aim is not just to improve the first team now, but to protect the club’s future by securing players who can develop into elite performers over time.
One name that has recently been associated with Newcastle is Vasco da Gama forward Rayan Vitor. At just 19 years old, Rayan enjoyed a standout year in 2025, scoring 20 goals and establishing himself as one of the brightest young attackers in Brazil.
Performances like that naturally attract attention, and it did not take long for links to European clubs, including Newcastle, to emerge.
As is often the case with young Brazilian prospects, many of these links appear to have come from sources close to the player or his club rather than direct signals from St James’ Park. Even so, Rayan’s talent is clear, and it is easy to understand why he has been tipped for a major move to Europe in the near future.
Earlier reports suggested that Rayan could be available for around £25 million, a fee that would have placed him well within reach for a Premier League club like Newcastle. However, fresh information has dramatically changed that picture. According to ESPN Brazil, Rayan has a release clause worth £70 million written into his contract, which runs until at least 2028.
That figure has reportedly caused Newcastle to rethink their position. While the Magpies continue to value young talent and see South America as a key market, a £70 million release clause represents a huge financial commitment, especially for a player who has yet to test himself outside Brazilian football. As a result, it is believed Newcastle’s interest has cooled significantly.
This does not mean Newcastle doubt Rayan’s ability. Instead, it reflects a more cautious and disciplined approach in the transfer market. The club are determined to spend wisely and avoid being drawn into deals where the risk outweighs the reward. Paying such a large fee for a teenager, no matter how talented, is a gamble Newcastle appear unwilling to take at this stage.
For Rayan, this could mean that a move elsewhere becomes more likely, whether that is to another European club prepared to meet Vasco’s demands or to a team willing to negotiate different terms in the future. For Newcastle, it is simply another example of how complex and competitive the market for young South American talent has become.
In recent years, many promising Brazilian players have been linked with Newcastle only to end up choosing different paths. Rayan may well follow that same route. What remains clear, however, is that Newcastle’s interest in South America is not fading. The club will continue to monitor the region closely, searching for the right balance between talent, value, and long-term potential.
