Leicester City and Newcastle United are reported to have joined the race for Shakhtar Donetsk starlet Tete, but face a meteoric €70m asking price - as well as competition from Milan and Roma - if they are to land his signature.
The Brazilian arrived at Shakhtar from Gremio in February 2019 and immediately made his presence felt. He scored four goals in his ten appearances in the second half of last season, and truly came of age in the Ukrainian Cup final when he hit a double to sink Ingulents Petrove.
He's built on his burgeoning reputation since, and in registering nine goal-involvements this season, he had made himself a regular starter in the Shakhtar side before football was put on pause. At just 20 years old, he appears to have the world (or at least a couple of ambitious Premier League sides) at his feet.
De acordo com o @globoesportecom, Newcastle e Leicester fizeram uma sondagem ao Shakhtar Donetsk pelo meio campista, Tetê.
— Newcastle Brasil 🇧🇷 (de 🏡) (@NewcastleBra) April 25, 2020
Brasileiro ex-Grêmio está avaliado em €70milhões, segundo a equipe ucraniana. #nufc pic.twitter.com/zb8JrhoRoX
Brazilian media have kept a close eye on the winger since his €15m departure from Gremio, and in the latest report on his prospects, Globo Esporte have claimed that Leicester and Newcastle, along with the two Italian sides, have sounded out Shakhtar over a potential move.
The Ukrainian giants, however, value him highly, allegedly. Very highly, in fact. It's said that they have started negotiations at €70m, and while there is likely to be some wiggle room on that one, it does make a move to either the Foxes or the Magpies look a little far-fetched.
For Newcastle, any potential deal will surely hinge on their controversial Saudi Arabia-funded takeover, which is reported to have edged a little closer to its conclusion over the past few days.
I wrote about Newcastle's takeover for @90min_Football a few days ago. There might be more room for nuance if the point wasn't so straightforward: this takeover should not happen. https://t.co/am4MGbpIYx
— Chris Deeley (@ThatChris1209) April 21, 2020
As for Leicester, they seem unlikely to put that sort of money on the table unless there is some serious outgoing movement. James Maddison is one player who has been linked with a move away, but he has recently poured cold water on Manchester United speculation by stating that he is 'very, very happy' where he is.
On top of all that, there is the added complication of the coronavirus crisis and all its financial implications, which looks set to curtail spending right across the continent this summer.
So, while Tete might well be the subject of Premier League interest, there are too many moving parts for a move to be filed under 'likely' just yet.
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Source : 90min