Back to the Newcastle United Newsfeed

Newcastle 'have made a £16m offer for Boca Juniors wonderkid Alan Varela'... but they are 'set to face competition from Barcelona' to land the highly-rated Argentine midfielder

Newcastle are set to splash the cash once more after reportedly making an opening bid just shy of £16m for Boca Juniors midfielder Alan Varela.

The 19-year-old wonderkid, who has been linked with a host of European clubs including Barcelona, is understood to be a target for Eddie Howe and would ideally arrive in June.

Varela, whose release clause is €20m (£17.7m), has been lined up by Barcelona boss Xavi as a potential long-term replacement to Sergio Busquets, Sport reports.

Newcastle are understood to have made a bid for Barcelona target Alan Varela, who plays for Boca Juniors

Newcastle are understood to have made a bid for Barcelona target Alan Varela, who plays for Boca Juniors

Magpies boss Eddie Howe is eyeing up a 'transformational' signing and the 19-year-old is certainly highly-rated

The midfielder grew up playing in the Barcelona soccer school in Buenos Aires where the Spanish giants have priority to sign players.