Newcastle could hijack Man United and Dan Ashworth deal as they step up interest in Geovany Quenda

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United’s latest transfer target would also inflict a blow on former sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Dan Ashworth’s departure from Newcastle United in the summer left a bitter taste in the mouths of supporters.

It was seen as a coup by Newcastle when Ashworth was appointed as sporting director in 2022 – less than a year after the PIF takeover.

However, his time at St James’ Park was cut short with Ashworth abandoning Newcastle’s long-term project to join Manchester United this summer.

Manchester United paid Newcastle £10m in compensation to appoint Ashworth and then Newcastle replaced Ashworth with Paul Mitchell.

Newcastle United interest in Sporting star Geovany Quenda

Newcastle want to sign a right-winger in January after failing to recruit in that position over the summer transfer window.

There are multiple wingers on the club’s radar. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is Newcastle’s dream transfer, but Eddie Howe and Mitchell may be forced to work with a reduced budget in January.

According to CaughtOffside, Newcastle are stepping up their interest in Sporting Lisbon star Geovany Quenda.

The 17-year-old has enjoyed an incredible start to the season in Portugal and is now attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League.

Quenda has a €100m (£83m) release clause but is expected to be sold for much less if a suitable bid arrives.

Newcastle can beat Manchester United to Geovany Quenda

One of the other clubs heavily interested in Quenda is Manchester United, who are looking at the young winger as an ideal signing for new head coach Ruben Amorim.

However, Amorim has promised not to sign any of his former Sporting players over January, which presents a golden opportunity for Newcastle to leapfrog them and get a deal over the line.

READ MORE: Dan Ashworth’s Newcastle United vision has now come true, but it’s far too late

Newcastle fans poked fun at Ashworth earlier this month after it was pointed out that he made a huge blunder by selling Viktor Gyokeres from Brighton – Sporting’s striker is now worth over £60m.

Quenda would be an ideal fit for Howe’s right-wing problems, and beating Manchester United and Ashworth to a top target would only make the deal sweeter.