According to Portuguese news outlet Record, Newcastle United are interested in signing Benfica goalkeeper Bruno Varela.

What’s the story?

The 23-year-old Portuguese ‘keeper returned to Benfica last summer after leaving the club for a year, and the 6ft3 shot-stopper went on to make 29 appearances in the Liga Nos over the season.

Varela has represented Portugal at every level up to U23 and has consolidated his place as Benfica’s no.1 despite his age.

According to the report, Watford are also interested in signing the youngster who is valued at £7.2million on Transfermarkt.

Not an area that needs strengthening

If Rafa Benitez does indeed move to sign Bruno Varela, it would be a surprising move for Newcastle.

The one addition Rafa Benitez has made to the squad is the signing of Martin Dubravka, and it seems unlikely that Benfica’s no.1 would move to play second fiddle to him.

He is clearly a young talented ‘keeper, but Newcastle have other areas that need investment and a substitute goalkeeper isn’t a priority at the moment.

Varela probably wouldn’t come cheap either, and if Newcastle have a limited transfer budget, it seems silly to spend a large proportion of it on a player who’s unlikely to feature much next season.

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