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Newcastle United had scouts watching FC Midtjylland’s game against Aarhus on Monday night, according to reports in Denmark.
Campo named the Magpies as one of nine “big clubs” who had observers in attendance for Midtjylland’s 2-1 win.
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Ipswich Town, Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig, Freiburg, Hamburg, Real Betis, Como and Bodo/Glmit also sent representatives.
It’s not 100% clear who each team were there to watch, but Campo named Franculino as the most likely target.
Who is Franculino?
The forward is a Guinea-Bissau international, but he was brought up in Portugal and came through Benfica’s famed youth academy.
Franculino left the Portuguese giants on a free transfer for Midtjylland in the summer of 2023, having not made a senior appearance.
Since moving to Denmark, the 21-year-old has scored 55 goals in 103 appearances, having found the back of the net 22 times this campaign.
Franculino did, however, undergo knee surgery back in December and he has only recently returned to full fitness. He has come on as a substitute in Midtjylland’s last three matches, including against Aarhus.
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Newcastle are not the only English club interested in the forward
The same publication Campo reported in November that Arsenal are long-term admirers of Franculino, having sent scouts to follow him since he joined Midtylland two and a half years ago.
Since then, Bild reporter Christian Falk has also revealed that Liverpool are “very interested” in the player, so Eddie Howe’s team will have serious competition if they are contemplating a move for him.
Franculino is a young, promising talent on the continent, and he is the type of signing that sporting director Ross Wilson specialises in. With the club having mainly focused on Premier League proven players in recent transfer windows, it may suggest a shift in approach for the summer.
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