It’s no secret that Newcastle United will be in the market to sign a new left-back in the summer transfer window after Anthony Gordon completed his exit from St James’ Park.
The England international officially signed for Spanish giants Barcelona for £70m at the end of last month, more than three-and-a-half years on from his £45m move from Everton.
Craig Hope reported on Friday that the Magpies have already opened talks with Spanish club Osasuna to sign Victor Munoz as a potential replacement for Gordon.
The 22-year-old forward has produced six goals and two assists in LaLiga in the 2025/26 campaign, matching Gordon’s Premier League goals and assists figures for Newcastle.
He was also called up to the Spanish squad that will play in the World Cup this summer and a good performance in this tournament may hurt the club’s chances of getting a contract for his work.
Newcastle United are in talks to sign the Bundesliga striker
Gordon scored 17 goals in all competitions, including four goals in one game against Qarabag in the Champions League, and it will not be easy to find a replacement for the England international.
However, the Premier League side are reportedly eyeing another European striker who could be a better replacement for Barcelona’s winger than Munoz.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Newcastle United is one of the clubs interested in signing Said El Mala from Koln in the next summer’s transfer window.
The report states that the Magpies have contacted the player’s representatives and are in ongoing discussions to persuade the midfielder to move to St James’ Park in the off-season.
It adds that Newcastle and Nottingham Forest stepped in to pursue the 19-year-old after Brentford’s £44m deal to sign him fell through because they were unwilling to sign his brother Malek as part of the move.
TEAMtalk reports that the Magpies and Tricky Trees are exploring creative ways to achieve their desire to sign Malek as part of a transfer fee, but it remains to be seen how they will achieve that.
Why Newcastle should sign Said El Mala over Victor Munoz
If it depends on whether they sign one or the other, Eddie Howe must push the club to sign El Mala instead of Munoz who will replace Gordon on the left this summer.
While the Osasuna striker has shown great promise, scoring six goals in LaLiga and making the Spain squad, the German star looks like he could be the best option for the Magpies.
El Mala’s form in the Bundesliga suggests he has more to offer at the other end of the pitch than Gordon, who scored six goals and provided two assists in the Premier League for Newcastle.
|
25/26 season |
Munoz (LaLiga) |
El Mala (Bundesliga) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
34 |
34 |
|
xG |
5.86 |
11.22 |
|
Goals |
6 |
13 |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
2 |
8 |
|
It helps |
2 |
4 |
|
Successful dribbles per game |
2.2 |
1.3 |
“Unstoppable” according to analyst and journalist Bence Bocsak, the 19-year-old striker, who can play on the left side or in the center as a central striker, scored twice as many goals as Munoz, and registered twice as many assists.
Meanwhile, no Newcastle player has scored double figures in the Premier League this season, with Bruno Guimaraes leading the way with nine goals, and the German star could come in as Howe’s most dangerous attacking force.
Munoz’s six-goal return, however, does not suggest he will quickly solve the club’s goalscoring woes heading into the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, which is why the Koln star looks better suited to what Howe needs this summer.
The £44m star is not guaranteed in the Premier League, as he has only shown his quality in the Bundesliga, but he has a physical profile that suggests he would be a good fit for English football.
El Mala has been described as a “rare” winger by U23 scout Antonio Mango because he has a “strong” frame and the physicality to stop strong defenders, allowing him to carry the ball into dangerous areas to create action at the other end of the pitch.
The young star would be the perfect signing for Newcastle to replace Gordon as he is a proven goalscorer and creator, looks more effective than Munoz, and has the physical attributes that Howe wants in his squad.
However, it is now up to the team to put together a deal that makes sense to all parties, whether that means signing his brother Malek as part of the deal or not.
Howe’s next Isak: Newcastle sees bid accepted for new signings
Newcastle are looking to do their transfer business differently this summer.
