Newcastle have been linked with signing a Venezuelan international this summer – but not that one!
After pursuing Salomon Rondon, having had the striker on loan for last season, Sky Sports claim that it is his international teammate, Jefferson Savarino, who we are looking at.
The report claims both we, and West Ham, will have officials in attendance for Venezuela’s Copa America game against Brazil on Wednesday, both said to watching the MLS winger.
It would not surprise us if this speculation turned into something more concrete.
With the success of bringing Miguel Almiron from the MLS to the Premier League, our scouts in America have proved they can unearth hidden talents across the pond.
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Add to that the likely good things that Rondon may be telling him about Newcastle, the fans and the stadium, and it could add up to a move being in the offing.
A winger will be a priority target for Newcastle this summer
With both wide positions needing strengthening, whether to improve or simply add competition, a move for a winger is likely during the off-season.
Savarino, playing in America, may mean he is flying below the radar of many clubs, and as such, we may be able to get him for a fraction of the cost of an established player from a European league.
But any signing from the MLS comes with an element of risk, and like Almiron, he would have doubters that will wonder about his ability to cope with the step up in class of the Premier League.
But as has been proven with Almiron, Rafa Benitez knows a good player when he sees one. He had no doubts that the Paraguayan would adapt to the toughest league in the world. And if he sees the same qualities in Savarino, few Newcastle fans will doubt him.