According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, via The Express, Newcastle United sent scouts to go and watch Porto vs Braga earlier this week.
Now, Premier League clubs don’t usually send scouts over to Portugal unless they have a particular target in mind, and while it’s not been reported anywhere who Newcastle were looking at, it doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes level of deduction to take a good guess.
Indeed, based on previous reports over the summer, it’s easy to imagine that Newcastle were looking at Porto’s right-winger, Pepe.
The attacker was strongly linked with Newcastle over the summer, with the Magpies reportedly preparing an offer for the Brazilian at one point, and with that right-wing gap at St James’ Park yet to be plugged, Pepe may well still be on their radar.
So if Newcastle do have an eye on the winger with a £51m release clause, his performance against Porto will only have convinced them further that the 25-year-old is the man for them.
Indeed, Pepe grabbed a goal and an assist against Braga at the weekend, and he was a nuisance all game long.
He earned WhoScored’s star man award for his display, while the fact that he was fouled six times just goes to underline the fact that Braga couldn’t stop him without bending the rules.
Meanwhile, his workrate was also on show, he made four tackles in the match, covering almost every blade of grass in the process.
Newcastle were tempted by Pepe this summer but they didn’t quite bite, but after this scouting mission, they may well go out and sign the South American talent from Porto.
This is certainly a situation to keep an eye on as the January transfer window approaches.
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