Your Newcastle United transfer round-up for Tuesday, August 23.
Paqueta revival?
French outlet Foot Mercato claim that Newcastle are considering Olympique Lyonnais attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta as an alternative for James Maddison. LeicesterLive reported that the Foxes have 'opened' contract talks with Maddison after Newcastle had two bids rejected - the highest in the region of £45 million.
Newcastle have previously been linked with Paqueta, who played with the Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimaraes at Lyon. Foot Mercato's report also added that Newcastle are preparing to pay between 45 and 50 million euros.
Paqueta spent the first two years of his career at Flamengo before moving to Europe to join AC Milan in 2020. However, after failing to pin down a regular place in Italy, Paqueta transferred to Lyon the following summer.
The 24-year-old has 33 caps for Brazil and lifted the Copa America in 2016 and has gone on to establish himself as a crucial player for Lyon. Paqueta has scored 21 times and provided 14 assists in 80 matches across all competitions during his two seasons in France.
Porto double swoop
Newcastle are reportedly interested in FC Porto's Brazilian duo Pepe and Evanilson. Portuguese publication Jornal de Noticias have reported that Newcastle sent a scout to watch Porto against Sporting CP at the Estadio do Dragao on Saturday.
Previous reports claimed that scouts were in Portugal to take a closer look at Pepe, although Newcastle also appear to be keen on his teammate Evanilson.
Evanilson opened the scoring for Porto as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over fellow Portuguese heavyweights Sporting CP. The 22-year-old first arrived in Europe via a loan spell in the Slovakian second-tier side STK Samorin before returning to Fluminense.
He joined Porto in 2020 and spent his debut season alternating between the first team and B team. However, he played a key role, scoring 21 goals in 45 matches across all competitions, as Porto lifted the Primeira Liga title last term.
The Brazil U23 international has already scored three goals and provided two assists in four appearances this season.
Laborde links
Newcastle United are keen on signing Stade Rennes forward Gaetan Laborde, according to TuttoMercatoWeb. The Magpies are set to face competition from West Ham United, Lille and Sevilla.
Rennes have recruited strongly this summer - adding veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, centre-backs Arthur Theate and Joe Rodon and French U21 forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.
The Ligue 1 side are looking to add further to their squad although they want to offload either Martin Terrier or Laborde. Although Laborde is on Newcastle's radar, the report claims Sevilla is the club most seriously interested.
The 28-year-old has scored 110 goals in 357 matches during his professional career and netted a career-high 20 times in 47 matches across all competitions last term.
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