Newcastle United have once again been spotted quietly working behind the scenes, this time sending representatives to Portugal as they continue to monitor one of Europe’s most promising young forwards.
The club has never been known for rushing into big transfer decisions, and this latest development follows a familiar pattern: an initial spark of interest, a long period of silence, and then renewed scouting activity when the timing feels right.
The player attracting attention this time is 21-year-old Spain international Samu Agehowa, a rising talent currently making waves at FC Porto. Newcastle’s interest in the striker goes back months, stretching into the summer transfer window when he appeared on the club’s early shortlist.
However, an untimely injury cooled things quickly, forcing Newcastle to pause their evaluation while the youngster recovered. Now fully fit and performing at a high level, Agehowa has once again moved back onto their radar.
Reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola reveal that Newcastle scouts were in attendance on Thursday night to watch Porto’s Europa League match, where Agehowa not only impressed but made a direct impact.
The striker won and converted a penalty, showcasing both his composure and confidence in a high-pressure European fixture. With the club’s representatives watching from the stands, it was exactly the type of performance that keeps interest alive.
While Agehowa caught the eye, he was not the only familiar name on display. Former Newcastle target Gabri Veiga delivered a standout performance of his own, scoring twice as Porto cruised to a 3-0 victory over Nice.
Both players reminded spectators why they have been on the radar of top clubs across the continent, and their continued form will undoubtedly keep them in the spotlight.
Agehowa’s potential availability is not straightforward, however. He is protected by a hefty £87 million release clause, a figure Porto are known to enforce strictly when it comes to their prized assets.
Even so, reports suggest that Newcastle are evaluating the possibility of a deal closer to £57 million, which would still be a major investment but somewhat more realistic. With 10 goals in 16 games this season, the striker is proving he can deliver consistently, and that level of output naturally attracts the interest of ambitious Premier League clubs.
Despite the ongoing scouting activity, the timing of a potential move remains uncertain. Newcastle already have a busy striker department, and the pieces may not be in place yet for such a large-scale signing.
Nick Woltemade is in strong form and scoring regularly, establishing himself as Eddie Howe’s first-choice centre-forward. Yoane Wissa, whose transfer from Brentford was completed in August, is close to making his long-awaited debut.
On top of that, Will Osula who nearly left for £30 million in the summer before the deal collapsed remains at the club, even though a future departure still feels likely.
Given all this, it is hard to see Newcastle moving aggressively for another striker in the very near future. Adding a fourth forward to the squad would also raise questions about squad balance and the development of players already in the system.
Osula, in particular, has shown clear improvement this season when fit, and losing him without proper replacement planning would be far from ideal.
However, depth is something Newcastle continue to value highly. If Howe decides he wants to regularly field Woltemade and Wissa together something many supporters have hoped to see then having two fully capable strikers behind them could be a smart and necessary move, especially given the club’s recent injury history.
A stronger rotation would help protect the squad from being stretched thin across multiple competitions in the months ahead.
For now, Newcastle’s approach remains patient. They are gathering information, monitoring performances, and making sure that if they do decide to move for Agehowa, it will be with complete confidence.
The club’s presence in Portugal shows the interest is real, but the decision will be measured, strategic, and timed to fit both the squad’s needs and the player’s development. Whether that moment comes in January or beyond remains to be seen.
