“Right time to leave” – Agent talks up January transfer for Newcastle target, Magpies have been pushing

Amid the heavy links between Marcos Leonardo and Newcastle United, the Santos player’s agent has spoken out on his situation.

Rafaela Pimenta is today quoted by TuttoMercatoWeb talking about the striker’s future, confirming that he’s set to leave Brazil in the coming months.

With AS Roma said to be battling Newcastle for the signing, the Italian media wanted to know whether the Giallorossi are about to win that race, but she didn’t want to give many details on that.

“The right time to move is January, I don’t know if he’ll come to Roma, you have to ask Tiago Pinto. The thing I say is that the winter market is perfect to move a Brazilian, as the league ends in December and starts again in March. This period is very good because teams can be organised in Brazil. Marcos Leonardo is ready. Does he want Roma? You have to ask him,” said Rafaela Pimenta.

Earlier this week, we covered reports from Brazil which said Santos made a promise to sell Marcos Leonardo in January, and they’re set to keep their word in fulfilling that.

The same story claimed that the Peixe want something between €15m and €20m to let the player go, but given the big interest he’s been drawing, it would be no surprise to see that auction reaching bigger amounts.

Either way, Newcastle continue to be named by the Brazilian media as one of the main contenders, although Roma and Real Madrid are also said to be keen on the signing.