An update has emerged on Newcastle United's interest in Porto attacker Luis Diaz...

What's the talk?

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, via Sport Witness, the Magpies sent scouts to watch Porto's 1-0 win over SC Braga to see the 24-year-old in action, with the winger scoring the only goal of the game.

The report claims that Newcastle officials were 'taking notes' of his performance ahead of the January transfer window next month.

Howe needs him

This is excellent news for Newcastle fans as the club appear to be plotting a deal for the forward, who Eddie Howe desperately needs heading into the second half of the campaign.

With the side currently sat 19th in the Premier League table, an investment could be required in January in order to mount a survival push. The existing first-team squad has not been good enough over the first 16 games to warrant being out of the relegation zone, suggesting that upgrades need to be signed.

In the £22.5m-rated Porto gem, Howe could find exactly what he needs in the final third. Newcastle only have two players who've scored more than one goal and one who has netted more than three goals in the Premier League this season, highlighting the lack of consistent attacking quality in the squad.

Meanwhile, Diaz has 13 goals and three assists in all competitions this season, including 11 in 14 league matches.

His Porto teammate Sergio Oliveira previously lauded him as 'extraordinary' after an impressive showing against AC Milan, saying: "I don't have to answer, we know his qualities, apart from the human level he is also extraordinary on a technical level. The best for him will also be the best for us as a team."

Therefore, he could potentially have the quality to come in and provide Newcastle with an additional spark in the final third. He has shown that he can score and set up goals on a regular basis for Porto, and he could solve Howe's issue in terms of consistent goalscorers in the English top flight.

PIF could improve the club's chances of avoiding relegation by landing a deal for Diaz as his contributions from out wide could win valuable points in the Premier League. Of course, it is impossible to say definitively whether or not he will be able to adapt to English football, but his statistics for Porto suggest that he could be an excellent addition to the Magpies' ailing team...

AND in other news, PIF must seal £21.3m NUFC deal for "tough dog" who's a "gladiator", Howe would love it...