‘I SCORED A HAT-TRICK AGAINST THEM – NOW THEY WANT ME’: IN-FORM FORWARD EMERGES AS SHOCK TRANSFER TARGET FOR NEWCASTLE UNITED TO REPLACE JOAO PEDRO AFTER SENSATIONAL THREE-GOAL PERFORMANCE IN FRONT OF EDDIE HOWE’S SCOUTS…

In the fast-paced world of Premier League football, one performance can change everything. For a relatively under-the-radar forward lighting up Europe’s secondary competitions, a stunning hat-trick may have just rewritten his career trajectory. According to sources close to the club, Newcastle United have added the prolific striker to their summer shortlist, identifying him as a surprise but serious option to replace Joao Pedro — the Brighton forward whom Eddie Howe’s side had previously earmarked as a key attacking target.

The twist? This emerging goal machine scored a hat-trick against Newcastle’s scouting team – while they were monitoring Joao Pedro during an off-season scouting trip focused on pre-season international exhibitions. Instead of walking away with positive notes on Pedro, club analysts and recruitment officers found themselves entranced by the performance of a lesser-known but surging striker who took the stage by storm.

Now, with Joao Pedro’s price tag soaring and competition from other top-six clubs intensifying, Newcastle are reportedly pivoting. And the player at the center of this dramatic turn of events is basking in the spotlight, not just because of his on-pitch brilliance but because of what could come next: a high-stakes summer transfer to Tyneside.

The Match That Changed Everything

It was meant to be a routine scouting mission. Newcastle United had dispatched a delegation to southern Europe to observe several transfer targets during a set of international friendlies. One of them was Joao Pedro, who has enjoyed a promising campaign with Brighton but is believed to be open to a new challenge, especially if European football is on offer.

Instead, the game spiraled into something no one predicted. Joao Pedro, while lively, was outshone dramatically. The star of the night? A 24-year-old forward named Luis Miguel Velasco, playing for Portuguese outfit Braga in a high-profile exhibition match against Brighton in Lisbon.

Velasco, who has steadily built a reputation in the Primeira Liga, unleashed a breathtaking display of skill, pace, composure, and lethal finishing. His hat-trick came in just under 57 minutes — a stunning left-footed curler from the edge of the box, a poacher’s finish after slicing through Brighton’s high line, and a majestic solo run that left two defenders in his wake before slotting the ball calmly past Jason Steele.

By the final whistle, the name on every scout’s lips wasn’t Joao Pedro — it was Velasco.

“I knew there were scouts watching. I didn’t know it was Newcastle. I just played my game, gave everything,” Velasco later said. “Then I found out after the match. They came for someone else. Maybe now they’ll come back for me.”

He chuckled when asked about the irony: “I scored a hat-trick against them — now they want me. That’s football, isn’t it?”

Who Is Luis Miguel Velasco?

While not yet a household name outside of Portugal and Spain, Velasco’s rise has been steadily building. Born in Seville, Spain, Velasco spent his youth career with Real Betis but struggled to break into the first team. He moved to Portugal in 2021, first joining Rio Ave, where his early flashes of brilliance earned him a transfer to Braga in 2023.

This past season, Velasco exploded into form, netting 18 goals and providing 7 assists in 28 Primeira Liga appearances. His performances in the UEFA Europa Conference League also drew attention, scoring 6 goals in the group stage and helping Braga reach the knockout rounds.

Known for his agility, sharp instincts in the box, and clinical finishing with both feet, Velasco has often drawn comparisons to players like Diogo Jota and even a young Fernando Torres. But what sets him apart, according to many scouts, is his hunger.

“He’s a striker who plays like he’s constantly trying to prove something,” said one scouting source. “You love that energy — and his game has real technical polish too.”

At 5’10”, Velasco may not dominate aerially, but his movement, spatial awareness, and link-up play make him a dangerous option in systems that require dynamic pressing and quick transitions — the exact traits that have made Joao Pedro so appealing to Newcastle’s staff.

Joao Pedro Move Stalls – Velasco Rises

Newcastle’s pursuit of Joao Pedro has hit a significant snag in recent weeks. Brighton, aware of growing interest from both Tottenham and Aston Villa, have reportedly slapped a £55 million valuation on the Brazilian. Newcastle, while financially capable thanks to PIF’s backing, are reluctant to engage in bidding wars that could unbalance the squad’s wage structure and financial fair play metrics.

Eddie Howe, known for his methodical transfer approach and preference for team cohesion over headline deals, is believed to have signed off on exploring alternative targets. Velasco, with a release clause reportedly set at €27 million (£23 million), represents a more financially viable option — and, potentially, a better fit.

“Newcastle like what they’ve seen in Velasco — not just that game, but the data over the last 18 months,” said an insider familiar with the club’s analytics department. “He’s progressing fast, and they see him as someone who could explode in the Premier League with the right coaching.”

Velasco’s age, form, and low release clause create an ideal storm for clubs looking to unearth the next breakout star. And with Joao Pedro’s price climbing, the pivot feels increasingly logical.

The Howe Factor

Eddie Howe’s influence in Newcastle’s transfer decisions cannot be overstated. The English manager has been instrumental in shaping a project built not on flashiness, but on smart, sustainable talent acquisition. Signings like Bruno Guimarães, Sven Botman, and Alexander Isak have illustrated this philosophy: young, hungry, and tactically versatile.

Velasco fits that mold.

According to reports from The Athletic and Portuguese daily A Bola, Howe has already requested a detailed scouting dossier on Velasco, including off-pitch habits, injury history, and language proficiency — a strong signal that Newcastle are seriously considering triggering his release clause.

“I like players who show fight and have that technical sharpness in tight areas,” Howe has said in previous interviews. “We’re building a team that has character and creativity. You need both.”

If talks progress as expected, Velasco could be one of the first summer signings for the Magpies, whose transfer window strategy appears focused on attack after a somewhat inconsistent goal return last season.

Fan Reaction and Social Media Buzz

The moment Velasco’s name hit the headlines as a Newcastle target, social media lit up. Clips of his hat-trick spread rapidly, with fans marveling at the composure and flair he demonstrated in dismantling Brighton.

@GeordieFaithful: “Never heard of him before but if he plays like THAT every week, get him in. Looks fearless.”

@ToonArmyScout: “Forget Joao Pedro. This lad Velasco is the real deal — cheaper, hungrier, and already scoring against Premier League sides.”

The phrase “I scored a hat-trick against them — now they want me” has since become a viral meme among Newcastle supporters, appearing on mock transfer posters, memes, and Twitter banners.

Velasco’s humble demeanor and emotional connection to his roots have only added to his appeal. When asked about a potential move to England, he said:

“I’m focused on Braga. But if a big opportunity comes — of course, I’ll listen. You never know when your moment arrives.”

A Real Option — Or Scouting Mirage?

It wouldn’t be the first time a one-off performance led to inflated expectations, and some analysts warn against reading too much into one match.

“The Premier League is another level — can Velasco handle the physicality, the intensity, the weekly pressure?” asked former Benfica coach Jorge Vítor on Portuguese radio. “He has talent, no doubt, but he’ll need time to adapt.”

Still, Newcastle’s decision-making process has been impressively thorough in recent years, and the club is reportedly investing more into international analytics and language-specific scouts to better navigate non-English markets.

Velasco’s name has now joined a list of attacking targets that also includes Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville, Club Brugge’s Antonio Nusa, and Benfica’s Casper Tengstedt.

But among them, Velasco carries the unique distinction of having forced Newcastle’s attention mid-match — an almost cinematic twist in his career arc.

What Happens Next?

Newcastle have reportedly made initial contact with Velasco’s representatives and are expected to submit an official enquiry to Braga before the end of June. Should they move quickly, they may be able to avoid a transfer battle, as European giants like Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, and Roma are also said to be circling.

Velasco, for his part, is keeping his cards close to his chest, but Braga sources confirm that the player has indicated he would be open to a Premier League move if a club of Newcastle’s stature were to make a concrete offer.

“He’s ready,” said a Braga official. “He’s been preparing for a big move for over a year. He trains like a monster, he lives for football.”

If Newcastle complete the signing, Velasco could join Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in a reloaded attack, possibly being used as a wide forward or second striker in Howe’s high-energy, pressing system. Given Wilson’s age and injury record, a Velasco-Isak partnership may represent the future for the Magpies up front.

Final Thoughts: From Underdog to Headline Act

The world of football thrives on stories of surprise. Of players who, through sheer brilliance and timing, turn scouts’ heads and change club strategies. Velasco’s story isn’t complete — not yet — but it’s already one of the most unexpected turns in this year’s transfer window.

He scored a hat-trick against the team whose scouts had eyes on someone else. Now, he might be the one they’re writing into the next chapter of their Premier League ambitions.

For Velasco, it could be the beginning of something extraordinary. For Newcastle, it might just be the smartest pivot they make all summer.