Newcastle United's head of recruitment Steve Nickson has spent time in Brazil this month as the Magpies increase their network in South America.
Nickson was integral for the signing of Bruno Guimaraes when he flew to Brazil to seal the deal in January 2022, working closely with agency Bertolucci Sports to clinch the deal from French club Lyon. He returned to watch Santos teenager Angelo Gabriel last summer but no transfer was concluded, despite the 18-year-old being keen on a move to England.
Gabriel stayed in Brazil with Santos and has played 15 times for his club without scoring and providing one assist. Gabriel played 63 minutes of Santos' 0-0 draw with Audax Italiano in the Copa Sudamericana yesterday.
READ MORE: Newcastle United discussions with Belgian club KV Oostende continue
Nickson flew to Brazil this week and it is believed to be the second time this month he has visited the country famed for Samba Soccer. Another Brazilian player that is understood to have been offered to Newcastle is Fiorentina right-back Dodo but with Eddie Howe's team still unsure which European competition they will play in next season, decisions are still being made on recruitment.
Co-owner Amanda Staveley spoke of Nickson, well-travelled in South America, in 2022 and said: "We have an amazing head of recruitment in Steve Nickson, who has been with the club for a long time and has a really deep knowledge of the player markets. So we were able to quickly put together a transfer committee."
Nickson, of course, signed £40million Toon star Joelinton on the back of recommendations from his contacts in Brazil when United swooped to bring the forward in from Hoffenheim. And he has always maintained close relationships in South America.
However, Nickson's business in Brazil this time is thought to have involved more networking as well as just player checks. There is also the possibility that checks on possible feeder clubs are being made in South America that could fit the bill for Newcastle.
Only last month European sports lawyer David Diaz told Chronicle Live: "From the limited information available at this date given reports on the matter and Amanda Staveley's confirmation that Newcastle United are considering a multi-club model, it would be reasonable to deduce that the intention would be to pool economic resource available across various different teams within a multi-club model.
"In practice, it will probably be a structure in which clubs are based in the more prominent European leagues given the ownership's financial muscle. But I would also not rule out specific regions such as South America where there is an opportunity to develop young talent."
Newcastle sent a delegation to Belgium this week for talks with Belgian Second Division side Oostende. But there has been no confirmation on a deal yet to buy the club despite a price of just £10million being mooted in the low countries.
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