leicester city The scout was at FC Porto’s 2-0 win over Tondela on Sunday. However, it didn’t feel like a trip built around Porto’s major names.

record It was reported that Leicester was one of three English clubs represented at the Dragão, along with Stoke City and Wolverhampton. However, Fox isn’t buying from a position of comfort just yet.

Sitting 23rd in the Championship table after 43 matches and in real danger of dropping into League One, it changes the type of market they can realistically attack.

Porto still offers obvious quality. Gabriel Veiga changed the match from the bench, Victor Frohold scored again and Rodrigo Mora was one of the more lively players before the break.

However, these are names that top-flight clubs would also have written down. Froholdt has now scored in consecutive league matches, while Veiga’s profile has long been well ahead of the English second-tier side.

That’s the glamorous end of The Notebook. The more useful Leicester section could start on Tondela’s side.

Tondela looks like a more realistic market

If Leicester City are making summer plans based on financial caution and the prospect of third-tier football, Tondela’s team makes more sense.

One who stands out is Bernardo Fontes. The 23-year-old Brazilian-born goalkeeper, who holds Italian citizenship, saved a penalty and prevented a major loss.

He has been Tondela’s most consistent pillar this season, with over 20 league appearances, and already has a strong reputation by being named Liga Portugal’s second goalkeeper of the year in 2024–25.

Rodrigo Conceição is another man who fits into the more realistic Leicester conversation. He is 26 years old and has experience at right-back, including time spent with Portugal’s youth national teams. He is not a high-profile target, but he is a viable target for a club in need of reliability.

Brian Medina offers a different profile. The 24-year-old Colombian centre-back is left-footed, stands around 1.95 metres, and has already shown strong defensive numbers this season.

Juanes Rodriguez is more of a developmental bet. The 20-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder is on loan from LDU Quito. He mainly plays as a defensive midfielder. He is still in the early stages of his career. Nevertheless, his performances at this level keep him on the radar for clubs looking to build ahead of schedule.

There was also a name on the teamsheet that might have surprised some people. Joe Hodge stood in midfield for Tondela. As has been the case this season, he looked absolutely at home there.

Still only 23 years of age, he has carved out a regular starting role and has become one of the key parts in Tondela’s midfield structure. His path to this point has already been pretty well covered. He developed in the academies of Manchester City and Wolverhampton. After that, he stepped up to senior football with Wolves and spent time on loan at QPR and Huddersfield.

Tondela secured him from Wolves for a relatively modest fee, and now it looks like smart business. He brings consistency and experience at different levels of English football. Plus, he also brings the added bonus of counting as a domestic player in England. All of this makes him a very practical profile for clubs looking for reliable options rather than high-risk bets.

Porto’s names attract attention, but Tondela fits the reality

This is probably the main takeaway from a visit to Leicester City.

Yes, there was more attainable talent on display in Porto. Left-back Alberto Costa and young striker Deniz Gul could fall into the “cheaper” bracket compared to Veiga, Mora and Frohold. Still, if Leicester are indeed preparing for a tough summer, Tondela looks far more aligned with their situation.

Bernardo Fontes is at the forefront in that regard. He combines performance, consistency and timing. For a club in need of value and advancement, that seems like the kind of opportunity that won’t be available for a long time.

Ultimately it may be about identifying gems before others. In that sense, Tondela’s team may prove to be a more important achievement than this trip.

chelseaBarcelona and some other clubs are chasing JMG academy rising star Seydou Dembele.

The midfielder’s performances for Mali U17 have drawn attention from some European clubs, including the Blues.

The interest from Chelsea and Barcelona is not new, and both took a look at him just over a year ago. Last April, Sports Witness broadcast news The Club World Cup winners are making an offer for the 18-year-old.

Two months ago, we broadcast news Barcelona and Manchester United are battling for the young midfielder.

He starred for his country at the 2025 U17 AFCON, which they lost to Morocco in the final. The youngster also impressed at the U17 World Cup, where they again lost to Morocco, this time in the last 16.

His statistics at the U17 AFCON and U17 World Cup:

• Appearances: 11
• Start: 11
• Target: 4
• Assist: 5

Chelsea will miss the young player

Africa Foot Now cover the latest Premier League information in a report focused on Barcelona.

Seydou Dembele has long been tipped for a move to Chelsea, but Liam Rosenior’s side are going to miss him.

He is now expected to join the Camp Nou squad and the teenager is expected to travel to Spain in the ‘coming weeks’ to seal a move there.

Barça signed his compatriot Ibrahim Diarra last year and he is part of their reserve team. Hansi Flick’s side are looking to add another Malian to the Barcelona B squad soon.

Chelsea were willing to make an offer of €1.5m. The report made no mention of why the Blues could not make progress on their lofty goal. Fenerbahçe also had him on their radar, but now Barcelona seems to be his next destination.

Our opinion: Barça’s plan could have been important

Considering the financial conditions, the La Liga winners will not be able to compete with Chelsea.

Barcelona’s project and their plan for Seydou Dembélé could potentially reassure them, both in the short and medium term. It should be made clear if this move goes ahead in the next few weeks.

Manchester City has become the latest club to join Newcastle United and others in the pursuit of Juventus’ Pierre Kalulu. The Premier League pair could battle for his signature in the summer.

Italian journalist Mirco Di Natale is reporting the same.

he took xWhat was once known as Twitter, for covering the latest on defenders, is now in the mix with Manchester City and Newcastle United.

The 25-year-old joins the Serie A team from AC Milan on loan with an option to buy in August 2024. The Turin club made his stay permanent the following year, after starring for him.

Kalulu’s impressive performances for Juventus have not gone unnoticed, especially in the Premier League.

Growing interest in Kalulu

Three months ago, Sports Witness news broadcast from Italy The centre-back is valued at €30m. Last week, we Covered Claims Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in signing him.

Di Natale supports this and reports that both the Red Devils and Arne Slot have solid interest in the France international. He said that Manchester City has entered the pursuit of the defender.

According to the journalist, Manchester City and Newcastle United have sent their scouts on several occasions to follow Kalulu closely.

Premier League competition

Pep Guardiola’s side and Newcastle United face stiff competition from a number of clubs, but the Magpies could have the advantage.

Earlier this year, Kalulu spoke about His close relationship with the Magpies’ Sandro Tonali. At the time he was asked about a friendship given Juventus’ interest in the midfielder.

Kalulu said: “Sandro is a friend, we won the Scudetto together, and I am very close to him.

“He is definitely a strong player, but now we are in two different teams: I wish him all the best, but today I am happy with my teammates with whom I play. Then… we will see.”

Eddie Howe’s side could turn it around. Rather than signing Tonali being beneficial to Juventus, Newcastle United could use this friendship to lure Kalulu.

Our opinion: Summer transfer possible

Manchester City, Newcastle United and other English clubs believe it is possible to lure Kalulu away from Juventus.

The Old Lady may insist on their exit in order to raise funds, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. Juventus are now sixth in the table and one point behind fourth-placed Como.

In recent weeks, Italian sources have apparently been pushing to bring the player to market. Even if they are not being explicit about it, Juventus are looking for a sale.

Kalulu’s contract runs until 2029 and is worth €28m transfer market. In the event of a sale, Juve would demand a higher figure than this.

The versatile defender is represented caa stellarWho have many clients in the Premier League. A highly experienced and well-connected agency, they are well placed to negotiate a move to Newcastle United or Manchester City.

Newcastle United have impressed at the latest edition of the Brazilian Youth Cup, and are preparing for another focused scouting campaign in South America.

The Brazilian Youth Cup is officially called the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior – affectionately known as the ‘Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior’ in Brazil. “cup“ – And it is one of the most traditional tournaments in the country, which has been going on since 1969.

It’s a lightning-fast competition, with 128 teams from across the country coming together for 232 matches in just 23 days. The final is always held on 25 January, the anniversary of the city of São Paulo.

and according to espn brazilNewcastle United sent scouts to Brazil to scout several emerging prospects during the tournament.

Technical level raises Newcastle United’s expectations

ESPN reports that Newcastle were not only keeping an eye on individual players. They were also assessing the overall standard of the competition.

The view inside the club is as it is this year cup Recent editions were rated “significantly higher” in technical level. That perception has strengthened confidence in Brazil as a priority market.

However, Newcastle United have not yet decided on concrete moves. The scouting department is still defining what ESPN describes as “ultimate targets” before any official approach in the summer window.

For European clubs, that mid-year market remains a key moment for structured investment.

Part of broader Brazilian strategy

This latest wave of scouting fits into a broader plan already underway.

In December, we covered How Newcastle United laid the groundwork For a structural transition towards the Brazilian market from 2026. The project is being led by sporting director Ross Wilson, who previously brought nine Brazilian players to Nottingham Forest between 2023 and 2025.

The purpose of St James’s Park is clear. Newcastle want to enter scouting and talks first. They are targeting players up to 22 years of age keeping in mind the development potential and resale value.

In that context, the Copinha is not just a youth tournament. It is a testing ground for the recruitment model Newcastle want to expand.

what happens next

While the final decisions are pending, Newcastle United will not slow down their monitoring.

The club plans to keep a close eye on Brazil’s U17 and U20 competitions. The U20 Brazilian League, which starts this week, is already on their radar. The Scouts are also expected to participate in youth tournaments in other South American countries.

The next steps will depend on internal assessment in the coming months. Still the direction is accurate.

Newcastle are no longer treating Brazil as a casual opportunity. They are building a pipeline. cup This appears to confirm that the supply of talent remains strong – and the Magpies want to be at the front of the queue.