Newcastle United are continuing their policy of scouting South America for the best young talent as they look to steal a march on the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona for gems.

The Magpies appointed highly-rated scout Thomas Federspiel not long after Ross Wilson's arrival as sporting director and have targeted the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia for emerging players.

The German talent spotter's background worked with Wilson at Nottingham Forest, as well as having stints at Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim and Borussia Monchengladbach and he has been hard at work from his South America base.

Newcastle are understood to have won the race to sign Johan Martinez, a 16-year-old Ecuadorian forward who will join United officially when he turns 18. They have also been linked with Argentinian forward Lautaro Piola. The 17-year-old has been impressing at youth and reserve level for Velez Sarsfield and is said to be available for only £5million this summer.

However, it is a potential move for Brazilian youngster Eduardo Conceicao which has grabbed the headlines across South America. The 16-year-old Palmeiras youngster has yet...