Aston Villa and Newcastle United are both interested in 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Lucas Rodrigues from Goiás. He has a release clause of €44 million and has made a strong impact in the second division this season.
Aston Villa Compete With Newcastle United For 18-Year-Old Midfielder: Does Emery Need Him Now?
Aston Villa and Newcastle United have emerged as two Premier League clubs monitoring 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Lucas Rodrigues, according to reporting from Sport Witness, which drew on initial coverage by ESPN Brazil. The attacking midfielder plays for Goiás, a second-division Brazilian side, where he has established himself as a first-team regular in their 2026 campaign.
He won the revelation award in the state championship, has scored four goals and added one assist across 13 appearances this season, and carries a release clause fixed at €44 million (£38 million) following a contract renewal that binds him to the club until 2029.
Goiás president Paulo Rogério Pinheiro made the club’s position unmistakable, stating that any interested party should “come with a lot of money” before expecting any conversation. The player himself said his focus remains entirely with Goiás. Sport Witness also noted that broader Premier League interest beyond these two clubs may exist, though that element remains unconfirmed.
Speaking about the situation, the player himself made it clear his focus remains on his current club: “Yes, I’m aware (of the interest), but I’m not thinking about that right now. I play for Goiás, and my mind is 100% on Goiás. There’s still the rest of the season, we want to get promoted, and I’m focused here.”
Paulo Rogério Pinheiro, the club’s president, warned that any negotiations would require a major financial effort: “Officially, nothing has reached the club. But the whole world wants Lucas, not just England. His release clause is high, and he has a contract until 2029.”
Aston Villa and Newcastle United are both monitoring Lucas Rodrigues.
Lucas Rodrigues has a release clause set at €44 million (£38 million).
He has scored four goals and provided one assist in 13 appearances this season.
Lucas Rodrigues is under contract with Goiás until 2029 following a recent renewal.
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And he taunted: “Bring money and come talk directly to me. If you want to negotiate with us, come with a lot of money. Otherwise, he won’t leave.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Fulham and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on April 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Aston Villa‘s recruitment in Brazil has grown more credible since the Alysson Edward deal with Grêmio, which proved the club now carry genuine infrastructure for this kind of operation. That matters because identifying talent is the easy part; completing it is another thing entirely. Lucas Rodrigues ticks several boxes: composed, box-active, and capable of contributing both defensively and in transitions.
His numbers at the second-division level are actually quite strong for a central midfielder his age, and the fact that Brazil’s youth setup is now watching him gives a better idea of his potential. Still, Aston Villa’s midfield needs presence and proven top-flight quality before they need another developmental project, no matter how promising.
At £38 million against a second-division backdrop, the valuation asks Villa to bet heavily on projection rather than evidence. His ankle ligament injury earlier this year is also more than just a minor detail, and his physical profile, mobility-dependent rather than dominant, may suit a more patient role than Villa’s current system often demands. This is genuinely interesting tracking, but that doesn’t necessarily make him the right fit.