Newcastle storm into race to sign £60m upgrade

Eddie Howe has a job to do at Newcastle United, putting the recent problems to rights over the course of the summer transfer window, ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

There’s no denying that this has been a tough and draining year for the Magpies persuasion, who have become accustomed to playing under the Champions League lights and challenging for silverware under Howe’s wing.

A 12th-place Premier League certainly speaks of regression, and the plummet from grace stemmed from last summer’s dismal transfer window, the Toon failing to sign their top targets and eventually losing their talisman Alexander Isak.

Howe is resolved to change all that, but Newcastle have already had to sell Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer for a £69m fee, and effectively replacing him could define the next few months, and the subsequent year on Tyneside.

Newcastle could enter talks for Premier League forward

With Gordon now flying the Barcelona flag, Newcastle technical director Ross Wilson knows the importance of landing the right replacement, with efforts leading the Toon to Spain international Victor Munoz.

La Liga expert Phil Minshull described Victor Munoz as being “one of the pearls of Spanish football” when discussing the Magpies’ talks with the Osasuna star. He has the strength, stamina and style to succeed in the Premier League, but Newcastle still haven’t made a final decision on their means of circumventing Gordon’s departure.

Munoz is talented, but would he pack enough of a punch to effectively replace Gordon and lift Newcastle back toward the top of the table? It is so important that Howe’s side click next term, and with Gordon and Isak’s goals now gone, Wilson has earmarked an exciting alternative.

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle have stormed into the race for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, whose future at Anfield is in doubt following Arne Slot’s dismissal at the start of the month.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be preparing an offer worth €70m (£60m) for the Netherlands international, thus with the most advanced interest, and Bayern Munich are keen on striking a deal too.

Talks are anticipated after Gakpo’s participation at the World Cup, and Newcastle could be the perfect home for a high-level winger.

Why Gakpo can be a Gordon upgrade at Newcastle

In fairness, Gakpo is less dynamic than Gordon, lacking in the nuance and sparkle that the Three Lions winger provides. However, he is a more consistent threat in the Premier League, hailed for his “special skillset” by former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders.

It has been three-and-a-half years since Liverpool won the race for PSV’s superstar forward, coming off the back of a breakout World Cup campaign in Qatar. He has cemented himself as one of the Reds’ star attackers over the years, scoring 50 goals and 23 assists across 180 appearances.

Capable on the left or as a focal frontman, Gakpo, 26, is powerful and clinical, underpinning his standout quality with creativity and physicality down the wing. He lacks Gordon’s blistering speed, but he could step into the England star’s boots.

In the Premier League this season, neither Gordon nor Gakpo has provided the finest illustration of their qualities, but both have still shown enough to suggest that they can star among Europe’s elite.

There is a reason that Barcelona have signed Gordon, and there is a reason that Bayern Munich are interested in bringing Gakpo over to the Bundesliga.

Last season, as Slot’s Liverpool won the league, Gakpo scored 18 goals and supplied seven assists across all competitions, such a dangerous goalscoring force down the left channel.

Gakpo is one of the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League. Liverpool’s poor season has impacted him, but he played a key role in winning the Premier League one year ago, and he could make a significant contribution for a resurgent Newcastle next season.