Newcastle are already in talks to sign Gordon next

Newcastle United should have seen it coming: St. James’ Park will host Liverpool on the opening day of the 2026/27 Premier League season, deepening the burgeoning rivalry between the sides.

Over the past few years, Liverpool have beaten Newcastle to their top transfer targets: Dominik Szoboszlai et Hugo Ekitike in recent years, and now Victor Munoz too, hijacking the Osasuna winger deal at the eleventh hour.

Although Newcastle are nursing a few injuries after falling out of Europe and winning the title to finish 12th at the end of the season, Eddie Howe has kept his job, and is determined to put things right.

Missing out on the 22-year-old is hard to take, especially after Anthony Gordon’s £69m move to Barcelona. Newcastle need to react – and quickly.

How Newcastle plan to react to missing Munoz

Gordon ebbed and flowed throughout his time on Tyneside, but there is no doubt that the former Newcastle striker made a name for himself, Howe’s top scorer in all competitions last year, netting 17 goals.

Munoz would be an ideal replacement, but with the Magpies boasting a technical director in Ross Wilson (a position that was vacant last summer), they could turn to a short list of alternatives, with one option in particular standing out.

According to iNews, Newcastle are eyeing LOSC Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo now that they have missed out on the signing of Munoz, with talks open as they look at the possibility of a deal, amid initial ‘questions’.

Fernandez-Pardo is also understood as being on the radar of many other outfits, something that will strike fear into the hearts of the Toon to plead.

Liverpool and Manchester United have both been credited with recent interest, while PIF know Aston Villa are eyeing the market for the left-back.

The exact figure for the Belgian, who is currently over the pond and competing for the World Cup, is not yet known, but previous reports suggest that Newcastle could command at least £52m.

Why Fernandez-Pardo could be Newcastle’s new Gordon

Missing out on Munoz hurts, and there’s no mistaking it, but the key difference between the current transfer window and last year is that Newcastle have had enough time to get things right and give Howe a competitive squad.

Gordon’s absence will be felt, but Fernandez-Pardo could help restore the presence of the Three Lions winger on the left.

A fleet-footed and unpredictable player, Fernandez-Pardo usually plays on the left side, but is also capable as a dynamic forward, quickly attracting the Toon kings to him as Gordon’s potential successor.

In addition, the 21-year-old player is unusual in that he is unusually loud and fast. Standing at 6 foot 2, the Belgian still maintains pace and elegance down the channel, and while he will cost less than someone like Munoz, he certainly won’t work well for Howe’s side.

After all, you can make a strong case that you’ve enjoyed a better domestic campaign than the new Barcelona man.

Hailed as an “exciting replacement for Gordon” by Newcastle writer Pete Davey, Fernandez-Pardo is establishing himself as one of the most talented young players on the market, proving last season to be the better clinician with his shots on not only Gordon but Munoz as well. He also likes to chase the ball and get stuck in and challenge opponents.

In a way, there is something very Gordon-esque about him, astonishingly quick and ever-improving in front of goal, like his team’s talisman.

Gordon has established himself as the prototypical Howe winger since joining Everton for £45m in January 2023, but he left a lot to be desired in the danger zone at times, and the Lille midfielder could change that, carrying a similar punch, but with more power.

Whether Newcastle can get their hands on a top target remains to be seen, but the bull has to stop somewhere, and if they launch a quick bid for Fernandez-Pardo, they could find a dream replacement for Gordon that could help them forget all about Munoz.