Scouts sent to Boca Juniors as Newcastle United consider £12m release clause

Newcastle United scouts are going to the Superclasico between River Plate and Boca Juniors this weekend to watch midfielder Kevin Zenon.

That is according to reports in South America, with the Magpies understood to be targeting the 22-year-old. The continent has proven fruitful for Newcastle over the years.

Chilean brothers George and Ted Robledo starred in United’s 1952 FA Cup triumph over Arsenal. Modern-day favourites include Columbian maverick Tino Asprilla, Peruvian maestro Nobby Solano, Argentine trio Fabricio Coloccini, Jonas Gutierrez and Federico Fernandez and Brazilian pair Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

Zenon would be joining an illustrious list of South American stars on Tyneside if he left Boca. The Argentine giants only signed the midfielder last month for a reported £2.5million.

However, his impressive displays have already seen him linked with a Premier League move. Newcastle’s purse strings were tight in January as FFP/PSR constraints grip the club but Toon chiefs can reopen the chequebook this summer.

The top flight’s three-year cycle renews in June, giving Toon chiefs wriggle room for the transfer market. A move for Zenon would not make much of a dent on the balance sheet as reporter Martin Costa has revealed he has a £12million release clause.

He also claimed Newcastle scouts are jetting to Argentina this weekend to sample the highly anticipated Superclasico - with Zenon set to take on bitter rivals River just seven games into his Boca career. A versatile player, he is capable of playing as a number 10, on the wing or at left-back.