CONFIRMED: Marcos Leonardo set for 2024 move as top European agency comes in amid Newcastle interest

Jacque Talbot

31 Oct 2023 05:58 CDT
3 min read

Marcos Leonardo, Santos, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Marcos Leonardo is registering interest from Europe but no firm moves or proposals at on the table for the striker yet, FootballTransfers sources have indicated.

Article continues under the video

We are told that Newcastle have looked at the 20-year-old ahead of a move for 2024, while Roma put an offer in over the summer window.

Nothing substantial has happened at this point in the season, however, the striker will likely move next year, with Rafaela Pimenta’s agency securing a mandate with the Santos player’s Brazil-based agency.

She is currently speaking to a number of clubs over a move that would cost in the region of €20 million. Roma had agreed a deal in principle with Santos during the last window but the sale of Deivid Washington to Chelsea in August meant that the Vila Belmiro opted to keep hold of Leonardo for until the end of the season.

Leonardo is still under contract until December 2026 at Santos but is likely to depart the club in the subsequent window. He has scored 21 goals from 42 appearances this campaign and is widely considered to be one of the hottest prospects playing in Brazil today

Santos’ general director conceded that the Brazil U20 star will be ‘allowed’ to leave upon the conclusion of the Brazilian season.

‘He understood it was a delicate moment and agreed to wait (until January),” Alexandre Gallo told Football Italia.

“We increased his salary and set up some rules allowing him to leave in the next transfer window. Assuming, of course, that the offer is interesting for Santos.

“We thank the player and his entourage for their understanding.”

Leonardo is valued via FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) algorithm at €14.2m. We rank the forward as 3rd in Best Future Players playing in Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.