According to reports in Portugal, Newcastle scouted Sporting CP’s João Palhinha a few weeks ago when the Lisbon-based club battled Porto to an eventful 2-2 draw. The match had a total of 5 sending offs, one of which was Palhinha who received two yellows.
Sport Witness has cited a claim from newspaper Jornal de Noticias that Newcastle had scouts there specifically to watch the Portugal international. Palhinha was linked with Manchester United, Tottenham, and Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window.
Sporting value the defensive midfielder at around €35m (£29.4m) despite a reported release clause of €60m. One question for Newcastle is whether a midfielder is on the cards this summer after bringing in Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon.
Newcastle have a productive crop of midfielders at the moment with Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton, and Joe Willock all putting in top performances. Shelvey is also reportedly set for an extension.
There’s also local lad Sean Longstaff and the injured Isaac Hayden. Longstaff has not featured much under Howe with his contract running out in the summer. Hayden didn’t make the squad for the second half of the season due to knee surgery.
Palhinha could be seen as an upgrade for Hayden as he is primarily a ball-winning midfielder who is a fantastic tackler. At 6’3″, he is also very good in the air.
The 26-year-old joined the Sporting Academy as a 17-year-old from Sacavenense, a third-division club in Portugal. He spent some of his early years out on loan spells with Moreirense, Belenenses, and Braga.
During his two-year loan spell with Braga, Palhinha got his first regular taste of top-flight football making 76 appearances. He returned to Sporting in the summer of 2020 and has emerged as a world-class defensive midfielder.
A lot depends on Newcastle’s plans for this summer, especially regarding Hayden, who is tied down until 2026. Palhinha is a superb defensive midfielder and would add a different option for Howe.
91 comments so far
cleveleysbob
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:11 PM
Comment #1Hi de hi 😉
WLtoon
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:12 PM
Comment #2No matter where you have a new build there will always be objections and protesters.
If the club were to build a new ground where would they build without some sort of whooha and protesting.?
How about a plot of land next to Morpeth , plenty of lush greenery there which won`t be missed?
Unless the club stay where they are they will come across all kinds of complaints from current residents living near any proposed new site, especially for a football stadium, not everyone is as obsessed about the sport as we are.
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:19 PM
Comment #3How much would Eldon square cost though plus there’s loads of listed buildings attached to that.
Not really Paul Merson
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:20 PM
Comment #4I see the debate about a new ground and Leazes Park rumbles on. It is easily solved. Not Leazes Park, but the cow meadow right next to it (Castle Leazes)
That was an option put forward by Sir John Hall.
Don’t believe me? you can walk up both Barack Rd and Richardson Road and see where access could be gained from both ends. Means moving the ground 300 yds or so.
Not really Paul Merson
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:22 PM
Comment #5Geez I’m a dodgy cockney geezer and i can see that. How come you locals can’t?
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:23 PM
Comment #6How many people would lose their jobs if you knocked down Eldon Square. Thousands.
CLINT FLICK
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:25 PM
Comment #7Raj
I know mate, my little joke.
Love eldon sq
Not really Paul Merson
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:28 PM
Comment #8PS a very cost effective option. When the club costed it out, it was going to be roughly the same price as what was eventually paid for the ground extension upwards.
That was going for a basic model with Sunken pitch, a bit like that lot down the road albeit 55,000 capacity.
We could do something quite special there for a fraction of the cost that the London teams have paid
Paully
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:32 PM
Comment #9Someone posted a mock up of a new stadium built on the Utilita arena, I’m sure one of you clever souls could dig It up, still pretty central and more than enough space there.
Everytime I drive In that way I look down onto It and dream.
carltoon
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:39 PM
Comment #10Oh Bob! I may never forgive you 🙁
WLtoon
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:39 PM
Comment #11Paully,
That site has been bought for housing
magscar
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:43 PM
Comment #12On current topic I think it would be impossible to get a better spot than SJP in terms of location to town centre etc
A big problem in making extensive changes to it would be could it be kept open?
A great job was done in managing upgrades to current stadium by keeping it on reduced attendances but without having to seek an alternative stadium
However I fear like the redevelopment of White Hart Lane a temporary relocation would be needed for at least a season – where could we be accomodated bus trips to Wembley anyone 🙂
Ground share with smaller neighbours? ( as if)
Realistically i think a new build somewhere then move there when finished – but where to retain the current advantages?
I’ve been to a few grounds outside of town centres – not a fan
bettyswallocks
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:44 PM
Comment #13Carltoon…. You monster.
carltoon
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:45 PM
Comment #14Yes I have never jumped on the Flog Shelvey to death. I have always seen a very good player, but when the whole team was under performing, when the whole team was playing crap, when the whole team where unfit. Let’s all blame one player.
That will never change. Just pleased fans can now see the WHOLE TEAM has improved, what a difference a good manager makes.
captainmarvel
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:46 PM
Comment #15I am sure the owners will not want to move from the current site. All avenues will be explored within the existing footprint to try and maximize the possibilities of expansion..
Every piece of greenbelt around the ground is owned by the Freemen of the City so it is a non starter to move the ground from it’s current site. They are very powerful adversaries..
carltoon
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:47 PM
Comment #16Betty! Watch it stop getting onto brother Lesh. I’m keeping the red flag flying here. 😉
CLINT FLICK
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:47 PM
Comment #17Did anyone see the footage of the new no hart lane ‘flexing’ in the storm?
Woo!
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:47 PM
Comment #18Not sure what’s so special about those daft houses on the East stand 😕
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:50 PM
Comment #19They should flatten those houses, build the stand then join it up to the rest of the stadium in the summer.
bettyswallocks
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:50 PM
Comment #20Police have confirmed that the man who fell from the roof of a nightclub and died was not a Bouncer.
Assassins Inc
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:51 PM
Comment #21Shite, could you imagine after all the protests about where to build new stadium they decide to knock down and rebuild at St James’ Park and we have to play our games at the nearest stadium and pay them some money. Not sure now days how long it would take but would that mean sharing the stadium of shite?
Oh fcuk!!!!
magscar
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:51 PM
Comment #22I was initially a fan of Shelvey in team but he became a victim of Ashley’s parsimony and and consequently Bruce’s management of him and his role in a defensive set up in which he became one dimensional
Just as with others from Bruce era Howe as found a way to incorporate the better aspects of different players into a cohesive style which suits them and his team – what a good manager does
cleveleysbob
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Comment #23Jail, I always thought we could move SJP to S. Shields, we’ve got a Metro station. 😆
A bit easier for fans from Durham and N Yorks, those north of the river can use the ferry or come through the tunnel. Easy peasy 😉
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:55 PM
Comment #24They’re so rich they could build a temporary 52K somewhere, play in that while they sort ours out then use the temp one for the wimmin and U’s
hibbit
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:56 PM
Comment #25vask i’m very surprise that you can’t see the economic value in keeping a successful football club in the city,
helping promote the city’s profile worldwide and the wellbeing and prosperity people who live and work there, by the business it helps generate though out the region
magscar
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Comment #26John Hall had a plan to build a super stadium in Gateshead in which we and Mackems could play alternative weeks ala Milan
Both sets of fans against it meant it never got beyond back pages of Chronicle and Echo 🙂
cleveleysbob
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:58 PM
Comment #27I’m normally a quiet laid back no aggro type of fellah, but I wondered what it would be like to Chuck a few controversial “bombs” into the conversation today, rile up the troops and all that.
I can see I’ve lost a couple of fans already, sorry Carltoon and Captain. 😀
bettyswallocks
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #28Carltoon…. He needs a little tickle every now and again to stop him becoming complacent.
Assassins Inc
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #29Thank god for that Magscar.
Imagine sharing with the Forrest Gump tribe from down the road.
Assassins Inc
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:01 PM
Comment #30Ed and Neil are researching right now looking at stories and options for the new ground, it’ll be on here soon.
magscar
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:04 PM
Comment #31Assassins
I think it was part of John Halls grand ideas of a Barcelona type o sports universal
Linlkng in ice hockey,rugby and basketball into a super Newcastle brand
Did get part way with Falcons and Durham wasps I think but never in a joined up way
Maybe he was thinking mackems could become a feeder side rather than regular poor neighbours 😉
CLINT FLICK
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:05 PM
Comment #32Raj
Aren’t they some sorta listed student accommodation?
cleveleysbob
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:05 PM
Comment #33Think I’ll start a go fund me page to build a super Stadium where Gypsies Green is and incorporate Colmans Temple into it.
We can reverse the Great North Run and have it starting at Gypsies Green and ending at Exhibition Park.
We’ll need to build some decent Hotels though, not much to rave about in Shields and I’ve just about stayed in all of them. Not a great experience.
Any chance that anyone is still speaking to me? Nah, thought not 🙂
captainmarvel
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:05 PM
Comment #34Bob no chance, all sweet.
WLtoon
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:06 PM
Comment #35Moving the stadium away from the city centre would be a massive hit financially for the city , you only have to look at what has happened to the businesses around Upton Park since Spam moved to the Olympic stadium. to understand how damaging it would be.
A lot of business will make the majority of their profit on a match day, especially when 50k are turning up every game.
SholaShow
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:08 PM
Comment #36Anybody that doesn’t believe they’ll want a new gob-smacking stadium by 2030 at the latest is in cloud cuck-coo land.
All we can do is make our feelings known about it remaining in the city, preferably within a couple of hundred metres of SJP.
They need to keep the high and tight style too. Makes it imposing and helps the atmosphere keeping the crowd close to the action as possible. Take as much design inspiration from SJP as possible. We want to maintain our identity and the status as best place to play in the land (perhaps alongside Anfield)!
West Ham’s stadium at weekend is a prime example of everything we don’t want it to be. Fans miles away from the action, which psychologically makes people become more spectators than supporters. That’s the number one cause of people calling all these new stadiums soulless.
cleveleysbob
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:08 PM
Comment #37“National Socialist Party”. Hmm
“Soviet Socialist Republics”. Hmm
And the common theme is Hmm 😀
WLtoon
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:09 PM
Comment #38As for the daft house on Leazes Terrace, they are listed for a reason, and try telling the residents who have lived their for years and years that they are give up their homes because football fans take priority.
cleveleysbob
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:12 PM
Comment #39Totally agree Shola.
What must be avoided is the “multi use” type stadium. As soon as you can use it for Athletics, the track takes all the fans away from the pitch and you lose all the atmosphere.
Whatever gets built, must be primarily for football.
cleveleysbob
Feb 22, 2022 at 5:13 PM
Comment #40Cheers Cap, just having a laugh, turn a few heads and all that. 😉