Newcastle United continued their growing presence in Portugal this week, with an official from the club spotted at the Estádio do Dragão on Thursday night. Their appearance once again brought back a familiar storyline Newcastle’s ongoing interest in Samu Aghehowa, a name that has circulated around the club for months.
Portuguese media have repeatedly described Newcastle as the club showing the strongest intent to sign the young striker. Earlier in the season, reports claimed the Magpies had already sent a representative to watch him live, signalling real preparation rather than casual curiosity.
At the time, several outlets mentioned that Newcastle were exploring the idea of a €60–65 million offer. Even though that figure would still be short of the €100 million buyout clause, it showed just how far the club were willing to go to get ahead in the race.
Samu once again delivered a performance that justified all the attention. He won and scored a penalty that sealed Porto’s 3-0 win over Nice, another confident moment added to an already compelling profile.
Newcastle have followed his progress closely and know exactly what he brings speed, composure, and the kind of development curve that makes him one of Europe’s more promising forwards.
While previous reports suggested he enjoys life at Porto and has no intention of forcing a move, they also made it clear that he understands how quickly things can change if a bid approaches the figure in his contract.
But the night belonged to Gabri Veiga. The midfielder produced a brilliant display, scoring twice and controlling the midfield from start to finish.
His performance dominated the headlines, drawing praise across Portugal and making sure scouts in attendance left with his name at the top of their notes. Pepê, Alberto Costa, and Victor Froholdt also impressed, giving clubs even more to think about as they evaluate Porto’s squad.
For Newcastle, this scouting trip is part of a wider pattern rather than a sudden move. Their presence in Portugal has been consistent, and this latest visit suggests their interest in Porto’s squad remains strong.
The club’s recruitment team has been active, methodical, and patient, watching targets closely before making commitments.
Whether this monitoring eventually turns into an official bid is still uncertain, but it is clear the Magpies are keeping their options open and maintaining a firm eye on the Portuguese market.
Newcastle’s transfer planning is already underway behind the scenes, and Portugal continues to be a key part of that strategy.
With several promising talents on display and a competitive window approaching, the club appear determined to stay ahead of the curve and position themselves well for the next stage of their rebuild.
