Newcastle United take on Benfica in the Champions League this week, which means a meeting with Vangelis Pavlidis.
Newcastle United lost at Brighton and Hove Albion over the weekend, but Eddie Howe’s attention quickly turns to the Champions League.
Benfica visit St James’ Park on Tuesday night as the Magpies look to rebound with a victory.
Jose Mourinho has talked up the Newcastle fanbase ahead of Tuesday’s clash, and Benfica can certainly pose a threat.
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Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United set to face summer target Vangelis Pavlidis
Newcastle must be wary of several dangerous Benfica players, but with particular focus placed on Vangelis Pavlidis.
The Alexander Isak transfer saga left Newcastle to consider a number of striking additions over the summer.
Nick Woltemade joined from Stuttgart and has made an instant impact, though Yoane Wissa’s continued absence through injury is a source of frustration.
Newcastle looked at Jorgen Strand Larsen, but were also linked with a move to sign Pavlidis from Benfica.
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Reports from Portugal suggested in April that Newcastle were eyeing Pavlidis, before The Sun highlighted renewed interest in August.
The Greek forward smashed 30 goals in all competitions last season to put himself on Newcastle’s radar.
Eddie Howe will certainly be aware of the goalscoring talent Pavlidis possesses and will be warning his Newcastle defenders about his quality.
Vangelis Pavlidis off to a hot start this season
Woltemade has made himself an instant Newcastle favourite with four goals in his first five Premier League games.
Pavlidis has been in similar goalscoring form to start the season, carrying last season’s form into this campaign.
The 26-year-old has bagged five goals in eight league games this season and scored in a Champions League defeat to Qarabag.
Pavlidis may still be on Newcastle’s radar for future transfer windows, but he now has a chance to show Howe what he is missing on Tuesday night.