Newcastle United are aiming to alter their recruitment strategy under Paul Mitchell.
The Newcastle United sporting director is aiming to change the way that things are done at St James’ Park, as he aims to revamp a recruitment strategy that he said is not fit for purpose.
Paul Mitchell wants Newcastle to sign players with potential who can be loaned out, with the view to developing into first-team players or players who can be sold off for a profit. It is something that Liverpool have done very well, and Newcastle are going to try and emulate it.
That could lead the Magpies to Portugal, as Newcastle continue to prioritise signing a winger after failing to land one during the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United linked with Roger Fernandes
According to O Jogo (09/10/24), Newcastle United are one of multiple clubs that are interested in Braga winger Roger Fernandes.
The Portuguese newspaper has named the Magpies as one of the clubs that are following the 18-year-old, alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax.
Speculation over Roger’s future comes just days after he scored for Braga in a 2-1 defeat to Porto.
The teenager has featured in every Braga game possible so far this season, with the attacker scoring two goals and providing one assist in 16 appearances.
Braga manager Carlos Carvalhal clearly trusts Roger, despite his age. In fact, Carvalhal actually gave Fernandes his Braga debut when he was just 15-years-old. He has been described as ‘special‘ by his manager, and that is why clubs like Newcastle are keeping an eye on him.
Roberto Martinez is also watching Roger, with a view to including him in the Portugal squad in the future. He was born in Guinea Bissau, but will be eligible to play for Portugal in the coming months as he prepares to celebrate living in the country for five years.
Newcastle wanted Roger in 2022
Newcastle are looking for a right winger, and Roger fits the bill. He is left-footed but prefers to play on the right, while he already has a lot of senior experience despite being so young.
He is clearly a player with a lot of potential, and that will also make him appealing to Newcastle. It would allow the Magpies to develop him into a first-team player or someone who they could sell for a huge profit.
But there are lot of other clubs eyeing Roger, which could make it difficult for Paul Mitchell to strike a deal.
Interestingly, Newcastle were linked with Roger back when Dan Ashworth was sporting director at St James’ Park. He was a target for the Magpies in 2022, but a transfer did not materialise.
Two years later and Roger is on Newcastle’s radar again.
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