Report: 'Generational striker' linked with Newcastle may have just ended his chance of a move

Newcastle United should be looking to add more firepower in the January transfer window after being left with no striker for a number of games this season.

A third striking option is a must for Newcastle with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson both being quite injury prone. We've already found ourselves having to play games without a recognised striker this season and bringing in another centre-forward will go a long way to ensuring that won't happen again.

One striker Newcastle were reportedly keen on is Marcos Leonardo from Santos.

Leonardo has been compared to some top talent already

The 20-year-old has been attracting a lot of attention from the Premier League and it was believed that a bid of just £22million would be enough to bring the 'generational striker', who has been compared to Neymar and Sergio Aguero, to England.

Getty Images

However, recent reports from Brazil may have just put an end to Newcastle's interest after his behaviour and his attitude have been called into question.

A report from UOL in Brazil states that Leonardo returned to training late, shouted at his teammates and acted drunk while complaining about not being selected for an upcoming game on a recent away trip.

"Coach Marcelo Fernandes released the team to have lunch outside the CT King Pele before the trip and Marcos Leonardo and Jean Lucas returned to the place about 20 minutes late and with behavior altered. Reports from four people who witnessed the scene and agreed to speak to the report on condition of anonymity said the forward-looking centre acted as if drunk"

If the reports are true, that kind of behaviour will get you struck from Newcastle's shopping list regardless of how talented you are.

Unless Eddie Howe believes he can change, this one looks unlikely

Eddie Howe's Newcastle do so well because everyone works to his system, everyone fights for the team first, always, so if a player comes in with an ago or who puts their own self-interest above the group, they'll be booted into the reserves Ryan Fraser-style.

As Leonardo is just 20 years old, he has a lot to learn, and Howe may feel he can still bring the best out of him and work on his attitude, I mean, look at Anthony Gordon, he soon got straightened out under Howe.

However, this one was already in the 'doubtful' column for us, and this probably moves it across to 'never gonna happen'.