Newcastle United send scouts on January transfer mission as former Man United defender catches eye

Every Newcastle United will likely spend the next three weeks frantically checking and rechecking their phone, just in case the Magpies dip into the transfer market.

At this stage of the window, incoming business looks unlikely, but much like is always the case, until the window shuts, little can be definitely ruled out.

And while it is outgoings more than incomings United are focussed on, with Miguel Almiron, Martin Dubravka and others the focus of attention, that hasn’t stopped the club continuing to do their due diligence on potential targets of the future.

United send scouts to Iberia

The Magpies were one of a number of clubs to send a scout to Wednesday night’s clash between Benfica and Braga.

Benfica, managed by ex-Wolves boss Bruno Lage, ran out 3-0 winners, with two former Manchester United players on the scoresheet. Angel Di Maria netted twice, while Álvaro Carreras also scored and impressed.

It is not known who Newcastle were specifically watching, but one player linked with the Magpies in the past is central defender Antonio Silva, who completed the full 90 minutes for Benfica.

Who else was there?

Premier League sides had six representatives there, according to ‘Scouts in Attendance’ on X, with Newcastle joined by Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and Aston Villa.

Spanish giants Barcelona, along with AS Roma, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Lyon, Montpellier, Bologna and FC Koln also had scouts in the stands.