Ahead of the January transfer window, Newcastle United deployed scouts at Benfica’s game against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, report Sport Witness.
According to Portuguese source A Bola, scouts from both the Magpies and their fierce North East rivals Sunderland were in attendance although the identity of the player(s) they were watching remains unclear.
Currently top of the Championship after 15 games played, there has been no issue of complacency for Rafael Benitez’s men so far this season and a few more wise January additions may get the Magpies over the line.
By deploying scouts at a game taking place at the elite level of European football, this describes the level of intent being shown by Rafael Benitez’s side right now.
As for Sunderland, they have previously been credited with an interest in Benfica’s Eduardo Salvio who scored in the Portuguese giants’ 1-0 victory although a swoop for the Argentine would be incredibly ambitious right now.