- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea are sending scouts to watch Boca Juniors while Newcastle continue to keep tabs on the highly-rated Argentinian duo Kevin Zenon and Nicolas Valentini.
HITC understands that, with Boca Juniors boasting some of the brightest young talents in South American football, a number of clubs from the other side of the Atlantic are making visits to the iconic La Bombonera stadium.
Aaron Anselmino, Boca’s teenage centre-half, was watched by Manchester United during the 1-0 victory over Paraguayan outfit Sportivo Trinidense last week. Anselmino scored the winner in the 71st minute of that Copa Sudamerica clash.
Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Marseille and Borussia Dortmund are also keeping tabs on the centre-half, who reportedly has an £15 million release clause in his contract.
Man United, Chelsea and Newcastle scout Argentine talents
Anselmino’s Boca Juniors team-mate Kevin Zenon, meanwhile, is available for a fraction of that fee.
HITC have been told that the 22-year-old midfielder also has a release clause in his contract, and Newcastle could snap him up for a potential bargain sum of just £10 million.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies have watched Boca Juniors on a number of occasions in the last few weeks, with Zenon and Nicolas Valentini the main reason for those scouting missions.
It is not clear, at this stage, how much Valentini would cost. But with the 23-year-old’s contract expiring in December, Boca may be willing to accept cut-price bids. Serie A giants Inter and AC Milan have both held talks with Valentini in recent months.
A 6ft 2ins, left-sided centre-half, Valentini could help offset the loss of Sven Botman to an ACL injury should Newcastle win the race. The Europa League chasers are also keen on Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, Wolves captain Max Kilman and Atletico Madrid ace Mario Hermoso.
Newcastle want midfielders and defenders
The versatile Zenon, meanwhile, only joined Boca from Union Santa Fe a few months ago. He has made a big impact at the Argentine giants, scoring twice and setting up three goals in just 16 games. Zenon, while a central midfielder by trade, can also play on the wing and at left-back if required, and was reportedly reccomended to Santa Fe by the father of Lionel Messi.
“Kevin gives us both superiority to be able to receive (the ball) between the lines, and also the (ability to) break,” Boca coach Diego Martinez said of Zenon after the youngster’s impressive debut back in January.
“He helped us and threw in three important crosses. His introduction helped the team a lot, it generates very good expectations for us.”
Newcastle’s budget, like it was in January, will be impacted by their Financial Fair Play concerns. With the contracts of Kelly, Hermoso and Valentini running down, however, the club’s pursuit of a left-sided central defender should not require Newcastle to break the bank.
“He is a player who is doing very well and who has grown a lot in these five years in Madrid. Now he is finishing his contract with Atletico Madrid,” Inaki Espizua, Hermoso’s representative, tells CN24TV.
“It’s not a given that he will go and play elsewhere. But, when you sign a contract, there must be a common project. And, at the moment, we are far from a renewal with Atletico Madrid.
“Mario wants to play in a major league. He doesn’t want to discard any options He wants to play for important goals. We will evaluate any project that may come for the next few years, this is the player’s aspiration.”