Newcastle ready first offer to sign Brazilian starlet who ‘will be much better than Adriano’
Newcastle United are reportedly ready to challenge Bournemouth for the signing of Vasco da Gama forward Rayan.
Anthony Elanga is among the Newcastle forwards struggling this season, with Eddie Howe hoping to see an alternative option arrive this month.
Rayan has emerged among the options, although the Brazilian would face plenty of competition at St James’ Park.
Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade have featured up front for Newcastle, but neither player has managed to impress recently.
Newcastle drew 0-0 with Wolves on Sunday, in a match that brutally exposed the shortcomings of Howe’s side going forward.
Newcastle United to compete with Bournemouth for Rayan
Rayan is among the most exciting young forwards in Brazilian football right now, with the 19-year-old expected to make his debut for the national team in the coming years.
The striker scored 20 goals in 57 appearances across all competitions last season, including 14 in the Brazilian Serie A – a tally bettered by just four players.
| Rayan | Serie A 2025 |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Chances created | 32 |
| Duels won | 173 |
Already this season, Rayan has netted two goals in Vasco’s first match of the Campeonato Carioca.
Bournemouth had looked set to sign the 19-year-old, who had already accepted the Cherries’ five-year proposal. However, the Premier League club have not yet been able to agree a fee.
Ge Globo reported on Tuesday that Newcastle have now entered the race alongside Bournemouth, with a bid expected soon.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also have interest in Rayan, who Vasco are attempting to convince to wait for new offers.
Some decision-makers at the Brazilian club believe Newcastle’s offer could arrive as early as Tuesday.
‘He’ll be much better than Adriano’ – Neto
Adriano is remembered as one of the greatest talents Brazil have ever produced – the heir to Ronaldo Fenomeno that never was.
Despite bursting onto the scene and enjoying dominant seasons in Italy with Parma and Inter Milan, also scoring 27 goals for his nation, Adriano ultimately succumbed to issues off the pitch before retiring early.
He remains well-regarded, however, and Brazilian pundit Neto’s words comparing Rayan to the former striker should not be taken as anything other than massive praise.
“For me, Rayan from Vasco will be better than Adriano,” he told Band TV in October. “He has the same style, but he’s more technical. He’ll be much better than Adriano. Rayan is the big revelation of the Brazilian Championship.”
Should the 19-year-old has even half the amount of talent that Adriano had, Newcastle will be making an impressive investment if they can complete a deal.