According to Caught Offside, Newcastle United are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda.
The Magpies had a disappointing summer transfer window and already this season the lack of impactful signings has been pinpointed to blame for the inconsistent performances in the Premier League.
Newcastle are currently eighth in the top-flight table ahead of their return to action a week today against West Ham United, and although confident displays against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in recent weeks have lifted spirits on Tyneside, there will definitely be an opportunity to improve the squad in January.
In the new year, the spotlight will be firmly on newly appointed sporting director Paul Mitchell, who must add some quality depth to the side to ensure the club can comfortably secure European football qualification over the second half of the season.
It has been widely reported in recent weeks that the club will focus on improving the attacking threat rather than reigniting their ambitions of signing a centre-back when the transfer window reopens.
The Geordies have only managed to score 13 league goals so far this season with injuries and a slow start for Alexander Isak the concern in the opening fixtures, so if there is an opportunity to bring in a player who can improve creativity and unlock the Swedish striker it will be a tempting investment for Mitchell.
Caught Offside are reporting today that Newcastle are preparing a move for Sporting Lisbon star Geovany Quenda, but will need to fight off Manchester United and Chelsea to secure his signature.
The publication claims that sources have told them that nothing is concrete in Newcastle’s approach for the youthful winger, however, the North East outfit are signalling clear intent to make their move imminently.
It is further noted that the talented 17-year-old has an eye-watering €100m (£84m) release clause, which could pose a problem financially for Newcastle, especially when competing with lucrative giants like Man United and Chelsea.
Who is Geovany Quenda?
Quenda has now reached the radar of several European powerhouses in football, but what is it about the 17-year-old Sporting Lisbon star that has captured the attention of so many clubs?
Over 11 Liga Portugal appearances this season so far, the Portuguese star has scored one goal and successfully completed 64% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 1.7 key passes, three ball recoveries, 1.5 shots on goal and 3.4 duels won per game, as per SofaScore.
Not only that, the teenage sensation ranks in the top 8% of his positional peers across the men’s next 14 competitions for shots on goal, shot-creating actions, progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches per 90 minutes played, demonstrating that he is both a confident ball-winner and dominant in possession.
While his experience is limited it is not hard to see why the biggest clubs in Europe are keeping an eye on Quenda’s progress in Portugal, and his talent is not going unnoticed by highly rated voices in football with Academy Scoop singing his praises on X back in August:
“Seventeen-year-old Geovany Quenda made his professional debut for Sporting today in the Portuguese Super Cup Final against Porto – and scored a stunning goal.”
“I’ve raved about the prodigal winger on numerous occasions – a truly exciting talent.”
Although Newcastle are a club keen to invest in youthful up and coming talent, there has to remain a level of sensibility when approaching the transfer market and with an £84m release clause, Quenda feels like a promising prospect too far out of reach at the current time.
With that being said, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle are willing to make such a lucrative investment in Quenda’s potential or will opt to improve their attacking threat with a player boasting more experience.
