Newcastle scouting Brazilian defender with €60m release clause

Newcastle United will dispatch scouts to Brazil to get a closer look at up-and-coming Sao Paulo defender Lucas Beraldo next Saturday, reports Tropa Tricolor.

After a scoreless home draw against relegation-threatened Leicester City on Monday sealed the Magpies’ first top-four finish in the Premier League since 2002/03, it’s time to focus on strengthening the squad.

Eddie Howe’s side have defied all expectations this season to secure Champions League football next term, which could go a long way to shaping the club’s summer spending.

With the lustre of Europe’s most prestigious competition back on the table, Newcastle could use a massive cash influx provided by the wealthy Saudi owners to assemble a title-worthy cast in the coming months.

Fabian Schar and Sven Botman have been critical to the Magpies’ outstanding Premier League season, forming a formidable centre-back partnership that has conceded a league second-low 32 goals.

But with the Swiss international about to turn 32, the club want to lay the foundations for the future, switching their attention towards Beraldo, who made his senior debut for Sao Paulo in May 2022.

Although he’s been on the big scene in Brazil for only a year, the 19-year-old already has a host of admirers in Europe, with AC Milan, Porto and Real Madrid monitoring his progress at the Morumbi.

While reports from a couple of months ago suggested Sao Paulo could let their starlet move across the ocean for as little as €8 million, the Brazilians have become aware of Beraldo’s potential.

Journalist Andre Hernan has rallied against the backdrop of such claims, stating the club’s desire is to keep their youngster within their ranks for at least another season by insisting on his substantial €60m release clause.

Given Newcastle’s financial power, that figure should not be an obstacle if Howe decides to pursue Beraldo to reinforce his backline in the upcoming transfer window.