Eddie Howe has dismissed talk of Newcastle United signing Enzo Fernandez after Alan Shearer joked the World Cup winner would 'look good in black-and-white'. The midfielder saw off competition from team-mate Julian Alvarez and Jude Bellingham to be named young player of the tournament following the final on Sunday.
Fernandez scored in the group-stage victory over Mexico and started all seven matches as Argentina claimed their third World Cup success with a penalty shootout win over France. The 21-year-old only joined Benfica this summer, but former Argentina international Pablo Zabaleta has already tipped the rising star for a move to a 'better league' next summer.
Zabaleta was joined in the BBC studio for coverage of the final by Shearer, and the Magpies legend raised the prospect of a move by asking if Fernandez would be available for Tuesday night's Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth. Howe was asked about the comments made by the clubs' record goalscorer, but dismissed transfer speculation and suggested Newcastle could not match the likely asking price.
