Newcastle tracking prolific South American youth talent wanted by Barcelona

Newcastle United are thought to be interested in completing the signing of an exciting young attacker in the summer, according to a new transfer rumour that has emerged.

Newcastle begin huge week in their history

The Magpies have one of the biggest matches in their history to look forward to at the end of the week, after Monday’s trip to West Ham, as they take on Liverpool in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.

For Newcastle, it has been 70 long years without a major domestic trophy, so if Eddie Howe and his players can get over the line against the current Premier League leaders, it would make them heroes forever at St James’ Park. That is clearly a tough ask, given the quality of the Reds, but they have already drawn with them in the league this season.

Regardless of what happens at Wembley, the summer transfer window needs to be far more productive than it was last year for the Magpies, and they are being linked with fresh faces already. One report has claimed that they are in talks with Tammy Abraham over a return to English football, with the striker currently on loan at AC Milan from Roma.

Meanwhile, James Trafford has emerged as a leading option to increase the competition for places in goal at Newcastle this summer, especially with Nick Pope not getting any younger and seemingly losing his form in 2024/25 too.

The Englishman has excelled for Burnley throughout the current campaign, playing a key role in a team who have conceded just 10 times in the Championship.

Newcastle eyeing move for prolific South American youngster

Now, according to a fresh update from Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle and Paul Mitchell are battling to sign young Millonarios FC striker Neiser Villarreal in the summer.

Barcelona and Watford are also believed to be in the mix to snap up the young Colombian, so the Magpies won’t find it easy to acquire his services. They are described as “very attentive” to the 19-year-old’s situation, though, and his current deal expires this December.

Villarreal is far from a household name, so Newcastle fans may not be as excited compared to a high-profile star being mentioned as a target, but he is a player with so much potential.

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He could complete a Premier League return…

He has proven to be prolific at international youth level for Colombia, scoring 10 goals in just 14 caps for his country’s Under-20s, and he has also been hailed as “excellent” by analyst Ben Mattison.

Newcastle should always be looking at developing exciting young talent, as well as signing elite-level footballers, and if they could pip a club of Barca’s size to Villarreal’s signature, it may prove to be a major coup over time.