Newcastle United transfer rumours as Roma eye Magpies target, Portugal scouting trip

Your Newcastle United transfer round-up for Monday, August 22.

Roma boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that he wants to sign Italian international Andrea Belotti, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano. Belotti is available as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Torino earlier this summer.

The Sun claimed last month that Belotti had been offered to Newcastle, West Ham United and Everton but Mourinho has revealed that he would welcome Belotti to the Italian capital.

"I don't know if we're going to sign Andrea Belotti, but I can speak about him as he's still a free agent and I can say that I'm happy to know that he wants to join Roma," Mourinho said.

He added: "I like this feeling [about Belotti[, the director knows how much I like it."

Newcastle scouts were reportedly spotted at FC Porto's 3-0 win over Sporting Lisbon, according to Howe has been looking to bring in a winger and a centre-forward this summer and the Magpies were reportedly in Portugal to take a closer look at Pepe.

The Brazilian, who is capable of playing on either wing, arrived in Europe from Gremio last summer. The 25-year-old registered six goals and seven assists in 42 appearances for Porto last term.

Pepe spent five seasons at Gremio and scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 118 matches across all competitions.

The Sun claim that Newcastle have emerged as one of a number of clubs 'interested' in signing Manchester United midfielder James Garner. Erik ten Hag's side are willing to offload Garner, who joined the Red Devils' youth system in 2009, ahead of a proposed move for Real Madrid star Casemiro.

Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United and Southampton have all expressed an interest in the 21-year-old but are unwilling to