Newcastle could see £39m bid accepted to sign a bigger talent than Munoz

Across the 2025/26 season, Newcastle United were not at the races by any stretch, but if Eddie Howe gets the summer transfer strategy right, they may return to title-winning form before long.

It’s fair to say that that glass-half-full outlook may not be shared by all of the Magpies persuasion, who must feel as though they are living within Groundhog Day, Victor Munoz stolen from them by Liverpool, Anthony Gordon sold to Barcelona, Sandro Tonali now being pursued by the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

But there is plenty of time to fix things for the Toon, who cannot suffer through another sub-standard season. Howe will not survive that one.

Newcastle need to start adding some real quality to their first team.

Newcastle learn bid will be accepted for Munoz alternative

Munoz would have been an excellent signing, but he’s not the only winger on Newcastle’s shortlist, with Said El Mala and Ez Abde of Real Betis also considered.

However, there has been a certain neglection of the right side, which struggled to establish a fluent connection with the forwards last season. Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy both flattered to deceive.

According to AS Roma Live in Italy, the line of suitors for Porto winger William Gomes is growing ever longer, with Newcastle joining Italian outfits Juventus and, you guessed it, Roma in the race.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also keen, but appear to be focusing on other targets, so Howe and company could have a clearer shot than they have become accustomed to over the past 12 months.

Gomes, 20 years old, has an €80m (£69m) release clause in his contract, but it’s understood that his Portuguese employers would entertain offers in the region of €45m (£39m).

Why Gomes could be a better signing than Munoz

Gomes hasn’t been on the major stage with Porto for very long. In fact, he only cemented a place in the first team last season, enjoying eight substitute appearances the year before.

Hailed as a “world-class” talent by one Brazilian journalist, Gomes is still growing into his skin, evidenced by the fact that he only started nine times in Liga Portugal last season.

However, his prolific potential cannot be questioned. Across the campaign, he scored eight goals, only missing one big chance.

Munoz, by contrast, scored only six times in La Liga, which coincidentally matches Gordon’s tally in the Premier League across each of the past two campaigns. Howe might hope to develop Gomes’ dynamism and progressive metrics, but Newcastle lacked an edge in the final third last season, and he could prove a game-changer in that regard.

What is clear from the early readings is that the young left-footed Brazilian likes to score goals, and that is why Newcastle’s intrigue has been piqued.

He also likes to create chances for his teammates, all pointing toward pieces which Howe can use to fashion a new superstar down the right wing. The frustrating part, of course, is that since he is typically right-sided, he could have formed a devastating partnership with Munoz, but maybe that is where either El Mala or Ez Abde come in.

Gomes’ physical and, at times, brutish personality down the right wing have shaped him into a force to be reckoned with, even at the start of his career.

The fact that the fleet-footed Elanga already operates in the same area could actually work in Gomes’ favour, allowing him to develop with Newcastle in the Premier League and make an impact for a resurgent Magpies team next season.