Newcastle United are among four Premier League sides keen on SL Benfica's Darwin Nunez, according to Portuguese publication Record (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Intriguingly, a Newcastle representative was in attendance at the Estadio da Luz on Friday night as Benfica took on Sporting Lisbon.

Nunez didn't manage to find the net in that fixture, but he has scored 11 goals in 17 appearances so far this term, so it's no surprise if Magpies scouts are impressed. Two of those goals came in a 3-0 Champions League group stage victory over Barcelona at the end of September.

Brighton and Hove Albion tried unsuccessfully to sign the £18million-rated Uruguayan last summer.

The latest

Newcastle, Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham United are named as the PL clubs who are determined to sign Nunez, via Sport Witness.

The player's agent is currently holding talks with Benfica's president Rui Costa regarding his future.

Nunez has a release clause of €150million (£127.6million), and it remains to be seen what kind of offer below that might bring Benfica to the table.

The verdict

What kind of forward would Newcastle be getting? Well, according to WhoScored, Nunez excels at creating chances for team-mates, dribbling (he has a particular penchant for cutting inside onto his right foot) and shooting from range.

He's been described as an 'incredible talent' by sports journalist Maxi Angelo and could be a long-term source of goals for the Magpies, perhaps even the perfect depth to rotate in alongside Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Joelinton.

He should be affordable for Newcastle, but the challenge will be convincing him to join if the two Manchester clubs are also in pursuit, given their status as elite Champions League level clubs.

In other news, this trio struggled in the victory over Burnley.