Newcastle in talks to sign £50m Premier League winger

Newcastle United have been beaten by Liverpool to the signature of Victor Munoz, the Osasuna winger changing his mind at the eleventh hour and sending Eddie Howe‘s early transfer window preparations in a spin.

Whether Newcastle will overcome this setback remains to be seen, but supporters will undoubtedly be concerned, given the struggles of last summer, missing out on so many targets and ending up with players like Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey, neither of whom the world alight during the 2025/26 campaign.

Anthony Gordon is no longer on the Toon books, and something needs to be done ahead of pre-season, with the Magpies still keenly aware of last year’s failings, and how that damaged Howe’s hopes of building across the campaign.

How Newcastle plan to replace Gordon

Munoz would have been perfect, a fleet-footed and physical winger whose skills align with those of Gordon. The Three Lions star was inconsistent, but there’s no question that he added flavour and dynamism to Howe’s outfit, their top scorer across all competitions last term, bagging 17 strikes.

Alas, he’s headed for Anfield, and now St. James’ Park technical director Ross Wilson has his work cut out. Thankfully, the executive has already identified a few exciting alternatives.

As per Caught Offside, Newcastle have held talks over a potential deal for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, with the Premier League champion’s future at the Emirates uncertain.

In April, it was claimed that Arsenal would be looking for a £50m fee, but Martinelli may well be available for a smaller figure after a rich campaign, but a campaign that didn’t see him take centre stage for Mikel Arteta.

The Brazilian hasn’t been in the finest form for Newcastle over the past few years, but he is undoubtedly one of the most talented wingers in the Premier League, and still only 25, could embrace a move to St. James’ Park that would demand a more focal role.

Why Martinelli would be a better signing than Munoz

Martinelli is not coming off the back of his best season in an Arsenal shirt, but there is no denying his first-class ability, something Howe will be confident he can bring back to the surface by entrusting him with a focal role out on the Newcastle left wing.

The thing is, Martinelli has shown in the past that he is a talented winger, someone capable of starring in the Premier League and outshining his peers.

Yes, perhaps he has stagnated somewhat at Arsenal, only scoring once across the 2025/26 Premier League season, starting 11 games. This is a far cry from the level that he established during his first few seasons in London, bursting onto the scene.

During those youthful days, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp even declared the South American to be a “talent of the century“, believing him to have enough natural quality to rival the very best forwards worldwide. Martinelli would admit that that hasn’t quite happened, but there is still time for him to bounce back.

After all, this is a seasoned member of a title-winning squad, and in spite of his so-called struggles, Selecao manager Carlo Ancelotti still saw it fit to call him up to Brazil’s World Cup squad.

At his best, Martinelli is an explosive forward, difficult to contain. He scored 15 Premier League goals during the 2022/23 season, and whether Munoz has the capacity to match that next season remains to be seen.

After all, the Spain international only scored six goals and supplied two assists for Osasuna in La Liga last season, bringing pace and energy, but not the clinical edge that Newcastle are searching for.

Munoz is an exciting prospect, for sure, but does he have the right skillset to not only match Gordon’s impact on Tyneside, but establish himself as a talisman for Howe’s side, so desperate for resurgence?

Martinelli has already shown in the past his capacity to dazzle in the Premier League, and entrusted with a new role at Newcastle, he could prove a shrewd signing indeed.