Rayan Transfer: Why Newcastle Missed the £30m Bournemouth Race

Rayan looks like he is on the way to AFC Bournemouth after a big campaign to sell the star Newcastle United could only watch on last night as their name was dropped into the Rayan transfer saga. Chronicle Live understands that there have never been any serious discussions for the Brazil Under-20 star, only early scouting missions. His club, Vasco da Gama, and his representatives certainly offered Rayan to Newcastle, but the winter window has been seen as an opportunity to cash in on the youngster who has been the talk of Serie A in his home country. Newcastle weren't the only Premier League club to have Rayan pushed their way with Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and the Cherries also kept up to speed with developments. Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Barcelona and Lazio were others who considered the centre-forward who has scored 16 goals in 64 matches in Brazil's top-flight. Despite Eddie Howe making it clear to Chronicle Live on Sunday night that the Magpies were focusing firmly on defensive targets and did not have the financial power to bring in an offensive player this month, widespread reports in Brazil suggested on Tuesday that the club had engaged in discussions to sign the 19-year-old in the last few days. Whether it was a ploy to pile pressure on AFC Bournemouth to up their bid from £27.5m to £30m remains unclear. But the teenage forward is on his way to the South Coast for a medical with AFC Bournemouth's Head of Football Operations, Tiago Pinto, overseeing the deal. It's understood that Rayan was put to Newcastle's recruitment team towards the end of last year, and he was a well-known young talent to head of recruitment Steve Nickson. Originally, Rayan had a release clause of £69million - a big ask for an uncapped Brazilian player. But even at £30m with Rayan only signing a new contract with Vasco da Gama on December 12, Newcastle did not follow up on initial interest. Getting Rayan to sign a new improved deal left the door open for a big asking price and the £69m clause strengthened Vasco's position while arguably also making it look like £30m seems a bargain. FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK!Keep up with all the Newcastle United latest via the Chronicle’s dedicated Facebook page Sporting director Ross Wilson has made moves to up scouting levels in South America. However, Newcastle are looking for untapped talent and unpolished gems as they look to crack this particular market. There has been a lot of hype around Rayan, and the Magpies seemingly opted against being sucked in by it all. When asked about Rayan talks, Howe, speaking at this press conference ahead of the clash with PSV Eindhoven, said: "There's no truth in that." Howe has managed expectations brilliantly in the current window and always made it clear it would be assessed day by day and with full consideration to the return of injured players. If Newcastle can get their strongest XI out in the second half of the season - on the back of £200m spend just six months ago - they are confident of a strong finish. That doesn't mean Newcastle aren't interested in Brazilian talent moving forward as they continue spying missions in South America.