Newcastle United will reportedly look to poach 41-year-old Portuguese transfer guru Hugo Viana from Sporting CP in the coming weeks.
According to a report by Jornal de Noticias, as relayed by Sport Witness, Hugo Viana is the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies are scouring the market for a new director of football, with Dan Ashworth closing in on joining Manchester United. The 41-year-old Sporting CP transfer guru has thus emerged as a target for the Tyneside outfit.
Who is Hugo Viana?
Hugo Viana has been making his name behind the scenes since calling time on his footballing career. An attacking midfielder as a footballer, he represented Portugal 29 times, scoring one goal. Meanwhile, he turned out for well-known clubs like Sporting CP, Newcastle United, and Valencia.
Viana hung up his boots after the 2015/16 season ended and has gradually risen in prominence as a capable transfer guru. The 41-year-old began his second career by taking up the post of the director of football at Belenenses. However, he has seen his stock soar since returning to Sporting CP in 2018.
The former Portuguese international has gone from strength to strength in the last half a dozen years, masterminding the club’s five triumphant campaigns in different campaigns with shrewd signings. Meanwhile, Viana’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Newcastle United.
Return to Newcastle on the cards?
Newcastle United will delve into the market for a director of football, with Dan Ashworth on gardening leave as he waits to join Manchester United. Meanwhile, the Magpies have been scouring the market for a replacement for several weeks, with several candidates, including Dougie Freedman, emerging on their radar.
Hugo Viana has now emerged as a target for his former club, with Newcastle United looking to poach the 2023/24 Primeira Liga title winners for the 41-year-old transfer guru. Meanwhile, Viana might not be the only Sporting CP figure to move to St. James’ Park, with the Tyneside outfit also keen on signing Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande.
It will be interesting to see if Newcastle United can end the search for a new director of football by bringing Viana back to St. James’ Park. However, Sporting CP will unlikely be open to parting ways with the former Portuguese international.
