Newcastle target drops agent – Summer transfer ‘very likely’, set to be handled by Jorge Mendes

Earlier today, we covered a story from Jornal de Notícias which said Newcastle United are one of the clubs in the race for the signing of Sporting midfielder João Palhinha.

It was claimed the Magpies watched the player in action in a match against Porto a couple of weeks ago, and now stand out as one of the potential destinations for him next summer.

Now it turns out that newspaper Record also features a piece on the 26-year-old today, with interesting claims about what may happen in the transfer window.

It’s said that Palhinha no longer has an agent. His contract with official Pedro Traquino expired and the chances of a renewal are ‘ruled out’. Now he’s represented by his family and, ‘if necessary’, will have the support from Jorge Mendes, who could ‘open doors in the English and Spanish market’.

Speaking of potential destinations for Palhinha in the summer, Record recalls the midfielder had been linked to the likes of Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United, who could not reach the €35m demanded by Sporting in the past.

The newspaper believes the player is ‘very likely’ to leave the Lions at the end of the season, although that will depend on the interested clubs’ strength when making their bids.