Newcastle’s transfer plans are in shambles, with a third deal set to fall through as the club’s chief speaks out.

Newcastle United has been frustrated in the January transfer window.

Newcastle United’s transfer plans were thwarted after Flamengo vice president Marcelo Braz stated that target Matheus Franca is not for sale. Eddie Howe has had a frustrating window, with deals for Youssoufa Moukoko and Hakim Ziyech falling through earlier this month, and the Brazilian is now set to be the latest target to elude him.

Newcastle was expected to be one of the busier clubs during the January transfer window, but their only business has been departures, with Chris Wood joining Nottingham Forest. Garang Kuol did arrive this month, but a deal for the Australian was already agreed upon in September, and he has already been loaned out to Scottish side Hearts for the remainder of the season.

Howe has made no secret of his desire to bolster his squad as he seeks to keep the club in the top four. A new forward is thought to be at the top of his priority list, along with a central midfielder and a backup right-back.

However, it appears that a deal for one of his top targets, Franca, is in jeopardy, with Flamengo vice-president Braz stating that he is not for sale. Throughout the window, the Magpies have been linked with the teenager, with the club reportedly offering £14 million for his services earlier this week.

“Matheus Franca is not for sale by us. “He is not for sale,” Braz told the Brazilian press. “At this time, we are not interested in negotiating for Matheus Franca.”

It is the latest setback for Newcastle in the transfer market, where the club has yet to complete any deals. The club was heavily linked with Moukoko before he decided to extend his contract with Borussia Dortmund, and a move for Ziyech fell through due to Chelsea’s reluctance to sell anyone to a club that has emerged as a rival this season.

Talks for Everton starlet Anthony Gordon are still ongoing, with Howe praising his versatility. However, the clubs’ valuations appear to remain far apart, with Newcastle looking to pay around £35m while the Toffees believe their No 10 is worth around £60m. The Merseyside club also has no one to replace him after Tottenham hijacked their loan for Arnaut Danjuma at the eleventh hour.

It remains to be seen whether Newcastle will be able to add to their squad in the January transfer window, but Franca is unlikely to be among the new faces if they do.