How £72m Newcastle target's stats compares to exit-bound Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle United are reportedly targeting a move for FC Porto midfielder Victor Froholdt as they attempt to replace Bruno Guimaraes.
Sources say thec club captain is expected to join Arsenal in the coming days, with both sides edging towards an agreement on a fee in the region of £80million.
The Magpies had been desperate to keep hold of the Brazil international, but his desire to join the Premier League champions appears to have ultimately won out.
Froholdt, 20, is among the most exciting young midfielders in Europe currently, and could reportedly be available for a fee close to his £72m release clause.
The midfielder, who scored eight goals and provided seven assists last season, only joined Porto from Copenhagen last summer and appeared in every Liga Portugal game as they won it.
The Magpies have already signed Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur this summer, with potentially two more signings set to arrive in midfield given the departure of Sandro Tonali earlier in the summer.
How do Bruno Guimaraes and Victor Froholdt compare in stats?
Like Guimaraes, Froholdt is an all-action midfielder who can be spotted all over the pitch.
The Dane loves to arrive late in the box to get on the end of cut-back crosses, but is also capable of striking from range.
Perhaps even more than Guimaraes, the 20-year-old is a brute with the ball at his feet, using his technical ability and low centre of gravity to power past the opposition.
The midfielder's age and league must be taken into account when comparing him to the Newcastle captain, who is in his prime years, but the stats are encouraging nonetheless.
Froholdt produced more non-penalty expected goals per game than Guimaraes last season, and registered a respectful 0.94 chances per game to the Brazilian's 1.65.
When it comes to dribbling, the Porto man completed one successful dribble per game to Guimaraes' 0.66, and also took far more touches in the opposition box.
Froholdt and Guimaraes compared defensively
Interestingly, Froholdt completes more interceptions (0.97 to 0.55) and more blocks (0.31 to 0.11) than Guimaraes per game.
The Brazilian completes nearly a tackle more per game, more clearances and wins possession in the final third a slightly higher rate, but that is far from a criticism to be levelled at his potential replacement.
Both players completed more than four recoveries per game last season, and were crucial to their respective teams.
It is important to remember just how much Froholdt will develop in the coming years. There is almost a nine-year gap between the pair.
The fact that his numbers are in any way comparable to the Guimaraes is already a sign of a superb future, if Newcastle can get it done.