NEWCASTLE plan to become a Premier League smash hit next season by signing Benfica star Nuno Tavares.
But they will have to fight off rival interest from Burnley and Napoli in the Portugal Under-21 defender, according to reports.
Nuno Tavares faced Arsenal with Benfica in their Europa League tieCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tavares shares his surname with the Seventies funk and soul outfit behind Whodunit, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel and It Only Takes A Minute.
And he has made sweet music on the pitch despite Benfica’s struggles this season, appearing 17 times.
The Lisbon-born left back came through his hometown club’s academy before making his senior debut two years ago.
Newcastle are understood to have shown interest in the 21-year-old since that time.
And Portuguese sports daily O Jogo claims the Magpies are ready to offer £13million for Tavares during the summer.
The defender could now experience The Mighty Power Of Love from the Toon faithful next term.
A potential bid would likely depend on Steve Bruce’s side maintaining their Premier League status.
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It is a similar story for Burnley, with Sean Dyche’s men currently just five points above the drop zone.
Tavares has played 24 times for Portugal’s age-category sides in all.
Of Cape Verdean descent, he spent three years with Benfica’s arch-rivals Sporting before moving to the Estadio da Luz in 2015.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
