Newcastle United could be set for a hectic end to the transfer window, with reports claiming that the Magpies are looking to wrap up deals for the promising duo of Anthony Gordon and Harrison Ashby from Everton and West Ham United, respectively.
There have been claims, however, that Eddie Howe’s side could have even more irons in the fire ahead of deadline day, with reports in Portugal suggesting that Braga striker, Vitinha, could be the subject of a late approach from the Premier League outfit.
According to A Bola – via Sports Witness – the Tynesiders are said to have carried out ‘exhaustive reports’ regarding the 22-year-old’s suitability to life at St James’ Park, with a new centre-forward addition potentially on the cards following Chris Wood’s loan move to Nottingham Forest.
The report does outline that any deal would cost in the region of €30m (£26m) due to the presence of a release clause in the player’s contract, having reportedly rejected an offer of around €19m (£17m) from Forest.
The promising marksman is coveting such attention amid what has been a stunning run of form for his current side so far this season, with the Portuguese machine having scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 27 games in all competitions.
That includes a haul of seven goals and three assists in just 17 Primeira Liga games, as well as a further four goals in just five Europa League appearances to truly announce himself on the continental stage.
That follows the youngster’s “prolific” hot streak from the 2021/22 campaign, in the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig, as the Portugal U21 international netted 14 times in 38 games across all competitions.
Interestingly for Howe and co, the 5 foot 10 dynamo has also been compared to Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema in the recent past, with that illustrating just what a quality asset Newcastle could have on their hands if they do sign the “complete striker” – as lauded by Kulig.
To be likened to Benzema – who has also been described as the “complete player” by former Manchester City boss, Manuel Pellegrini – is high praise indeed, with the experienced Frenchman undoubtedly one of the best forward talents of his generation, having swooped the prestigious Ballon d’Or award last year.
That recognition was just reward for what has been a lengthy and consistent spell at the top level for the 35-year-old for well over a decade, as he boasts a haul of 336 goals and 160 assists in 624 games for Los Blancos to date.
The former France international – who netted 37 goals in 97 games for his country – is seemingly a figure whom any player would be lucky to be compared to, hence the intrigue that Vitinha may potentially share an apparent likeness.
One area in which the pair are notably alike is in their ability to create openings in the final third, with Benzema averaging 4.05 shot-creating actions per game over the past year, while the Braga starlet is only just behind as he averages 3.53 for that same metric.
Although it would take some doing for Vitinha to be able to reach the same heights as the clinical veteran, the fact that there are parallels to be drawn between the two players is a sign of the potential hidden gem that the Magpies could secure in the coming days.
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