Newcastle United are interested in Midtjylland’s Brazilian playmaker Evander but face a battle with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid for what could be a bargain £7 million signing, as reported by Homme du Match.
The Rio-born 23-year-old is far from a household name on Tyneside but, as Celtic found out the hard way only a few weeks ago, no-one should question Evander’s ability to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
During a topsy-turvy Champions League qualifier with the Scottish Premiership giants a few weeks ago, the Brazilian channelled his inner-Ronaldinho as Vasilis Barkas took on the dejected David Seaman role.
And, yes, he meant it too; whipping a superb free-kick into the far corner from an almost impossible angle in front of stunned Celtic fans.
Highly unpredictable and supremely gifted, Evander feels like a throwback Brazilian number ten – the very definition of jogo bonito.
His nine goals and seven assists fired Midtjylland to the Danish league title in 2020 and perhaps only Allan Saint-Maximin in Steve Bruce’s squad could rival Evander when it comes to technical quality.
The former Vasco da Gama man loves nothing more than nutmegging a defender, spinning on a sixpence and firing potshots from the edge of the box.
Excitement has been in short supply on Tyneside during the Bruce era but an attacking midfield trio of Evander, Saint-Maximin and Joe Willock wouldn’t have looked out of place during the days of King Kev’s Entertainers.
Evander could take Newcastle to another level
According to Homme du Match, Midtjylland want £7 million for their star man.
Such a fee is unlikely to put off Atletico Madrid or perennial talent-spotters Monaco.
Newcastle were priced out of a move for Evander’s Midtjylland teammate Jens Cajuste but, according to reports, the Sweden international would cost twice as much, valued at about £13 million.
At this stage, however, it’s uncertain whether Newcastle saw Evander as an affordable alternative to the returning Willock or someone capable of playing alongside the former Arsenal youngster as Bruce looks to introduce a more attacking, free-flowing style at St James’ Park.
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