Newcastle line up serious bid to sign “electric” £30m Anthony Gordon update

Newcastle United have not had a good season, and while Eddie Howe will fight until the end, the dissenters are mounting on Tyneside, with many feeling a change could be for the best.

Howe has done a number on St. James’ Park, taking a Newcastle side who were used to fighting against relegation – and not always winning such scraps – and leading into the Champions League on two occasions. Oh, and the Toon lifted the Carabao Cup last year.

While many feel the gaffer has reached the end of his cycle at the Magpies helm, more change should be anticipated than solely in the dugout. With European football next season almost off the cards, Anthony Gordon appears to be angling for a summer move.

The England winger will need replacing.

Newcastle consider approach for Gordon replacement

Bayern Munich are leading the early race for Gordon’s signature, quoted at £75m by Newcastle. Chelsea are also keen, and it’s clear already that this one is not going to disappear when the summer market opens for business.

Newcastle’s Premier League campaign has unravelled, and if Gordon is going to head off for pastures new this summer after being promoted to Howe’s talisman after Alexander Isak forced a transfer to Liverpool last summer, he will need to adequately replace him.

While supporters will expect more experienced players to arrive too, Paris Saint-Germain starlet Ibrahim Mbaye is emerging as an interesting contender.

That’s according to Caught Offside, who claim that United are joined by Aston Villa in showing serious interest in the 18-year-old winger, who has already broken into Luis Enrique’s extraordinary squad.

A specific figure has not yet materialised, but Mbaye is one of the most exciting prospects in the world, valued at around €30m (equating to £25m). The anticipated cost would surely be more extreme, though.

Why Mbaye is a bigger talent than Gordon

Mbaye is young, but the fact that he has already made his mark in this indomitable PSG side says something about his superstar potential.

Earlier this season, he shrugged Barcelona stars off like an unwanted jacket, and across four Champions League matches, has actually won 62% of his dribbles, which is a remarkable level of confidence, strength and composure in closely-contested quarters.

Described as “the future of Senegalese footbal|” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Mbaye is an aggressive and fleet-footed attacker, and what’s more, he is comfortable on both attacking wings, playing out on the left and the right.

Of course, Mbaye might have a higher ceiling than Gordon, but the Three Lions star’s versatility is one of his greatest allies, and from that, you can see why the likes of Bayern are showing a vested interest in acquiring his services.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has also praised the teenager’s “electric pace“, highlighting Mbaye’s superstar potential in Paris. His affluent employers won’t want or need to let him go, but if playing time is what Mbaye is after, St. James’ Park could be the perfect destination – especially if Gordon leaves.

Gordon is a tremendous player, someone who has played an instrumental role in Howe’s success at Newcastle. Since joining from Everton for a £45m fee in January 2023, he has posted 39 goals and 28 assists from 152 appearances.

However, Gordon’s recent purple patch in the final third shouldn’t make us forget about the many poor performances strewn across the season.

He’s not indispensable, and if PIF get their transfer strategies right this year, an experienced head could be welcomed to counter Gordon’s departure alongside an up-and-comer like Mbaye, who has the potential to become a sensation.

Related

Hall 2.0: Newcastle could see bid accepted to sign £40m England star

Newcastle United are considering a move to sign a Premier League star in the summer transfer window.