Newcastle have exceeded expectations in their return to the Premier League this season and it’s allowed Rafael Benitez to begin preparations for summer transfer activity early, where improvements in the final third are necessary.
The Magpies have struggled for consistency in front of goal this season, with joint top-scorers Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez netting just five each, which has led Benitez to eye a number of potential recruits on the market.
SportWitness, citing reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola, claim Benfica’s highly-coveted winger Franco Cervi remains a target for Newcastle, although they face a fierce fight for the 23-year-old as West Ham, Brighton and Swansea are also credited with an interest.
Having scored four goals and contributed ten assists for Benfica this season, the second-place Portuguese side are unlikely to be willing to negotiate a sale and the Argentina ace’s mammoth €45m release-clause makes it highly unlikely that Newcastle will land his services.
