As we edge closer to the summer transfer window, we’ll see more and more names linked with potential moves to St James’ Park,

A new link yesterday saw Newcastle credited with an interest in Merlin Rohl via the German media, and today we’ve seen another story emerge, this time Portugal.

A striker will almost certainly be targeted with Callum Wilson expected to depart and it’s believed a free-scoring Benfica forward is on our list of targets.

Benfica star linked with Toon move

According to reports in Portugal, Newcastle have joined the race to sign Vangelis Pavlidis; who has been in sensational form once again this season.

On the front page of today’s edition of Portuguese paper Record, they name Newcastle as one of the clubs eyeing up a summer move for the 26-year-old striker.

However, if we really are interested and this isn’t all agent-driven, it seems we’ll face plenty of competition for his signature, with the same outlet naming Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as the other sides in the mix.

The Greek international has scored 24 goals, along with 10 assists, in all competitions this season, bagging an impressive seven goals and three assists in 12 Champions League outings.

Newcastle’s tough striker task

Given his form this season and contract until 2029, Benfica are in a strong position to demand a hefty fee.

Good strikers don’t come cheap but Newcastle also have a tough task to find one willing to compete with Alexander Isak; arguably the best striker on the planet right now and one of the first names on Eddie Howe’s team sheet.

We’ll need depth next season as we prepare to play in Europe again and compete on four fronts. However, luring a quality striker to the club without the guarantee of starts will be tricky.

Is Benfica’s star man currently scoring for fun going to play back up? I doubt it. And I wouldn’t be surprised if this is another agent-driven link to try and ramp up interest in the player after his best season yet since leaving Feyenoord.