Newcastle transfer news: Toon have watched Pedro Goncalves this season

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Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves is attracting interest from the Premier League, with Newcastle United one of the clubs eyeing the 24-year-old.

Newcastle are set to be in the market for attacking reinforcements, and it appears that the versatile Goncalves has caught the Magpies’ attention.

According to 90min, Newcastle have watched the Portugal international this season. The report adds that Aston Villa and Liverpool have done the same, while Tottenham have the strongest interest.

Spurs are looking to sign a creative midfielder, which is why they are interested in bringing in James Maddison. Newcastle are also keen on the Leicester superstar, but it is the North London side who are leading the chase.

Whether or not that influences their pursuit of Goncalves remains to be seen, but he is certainly a player who should be of interest to Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth. He can play in multiple positions – on both flanks, as a centre midfielder, more advanced as a number 10 or as a false 9.

Pedro Goncalves embarrassed Aaron Ramsdale earlier this year

Goncalves has been a star for Sporting ever since he joined the Lisbon-based side in 2020. He scored 23 goals in his first season for the club.

He followed that up with a tally of 15 in 2021/22, and this campaign he currently has 17 goals in all competitions.

One of those come on English shores, with Goncalves scoring against Arsenal in the Europa League last month. It was an outrageous goal, with the midfielder lobbing Aaron Ramsdale from 46 yards out. It was an insane strike, and one that eventually led to Sporting knocking out the Gunners.

Newcastle could offer him a route back to England

Goncalves played a key role in Sporting’s victory, and his performances in Portugal are tempting a few English clubs to try to sign him.

But if he does move to the Premier League, it will not be the first time that he has played for a club in England. Goncalves actually spent two years with Wolves, joining them in 2017. However, he only made one senior appearance, coming off the bench in a League Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday.

He has massively kicked on since failing to make the grade at Wolves, and could now cost £70million. That is the release clause in his Sporting contract.

It is a huge amount of money that would make him Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever.