Newcastle United are eyeing Sao Paulo midfielder Pablo Maia.

Maia's agent, Junior Pedroso, has revealed Newcastle have been scouting the 21 year-old. Toon chief scout Steve Nickson was in Brazil earlier this year.

Local journalist Jorge Nicola reported: “What Junior told me is that Pablo Maia has been targeted by a Newcastle scout.

"When the English team is looking for a player, he (scout) starts to observe, even if from a distance, the numbers, behaviour, performance, before taking the decision to buy him or not.

“Pablo Maia should receive offers in the middle of the year, if not from Newcastle, from other clubs. He is, today, the most ready and valued player, and who most animates the international market (…). The player can guarantee, at least, €10m,"