Newcastle are speeding up talks to sign the £35m star

Anthony Gordon played his first game since leaving Newcastle United as England defeated New Zealand 1-0 in the first World Cup warm-up game.

The flying winger completed a £70m move to Spanish giants Barcelona at the end of last month, after netting 17 goals and five assists for the Magpies in all competitions this season.

Gordon didn’t show much for his new club’s fans in the Three Lions’ win, however, as he came on in the second half and gave little to Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Newcastle fans know he’s capable of great things, however, after watching him fly down the pecking order over the past three-and-a-half seasons at St. James’ Park in the Premier League.

However, his biggest damage was done in the Champions League for the Magpies in the 2025/26 campaign, as he scored ten goals and registered two assists in 12 outings in the competition.

Newcastle United are preparing talks to sign the LaLiga forward

The 2023/24 season was Gordon’s best in the Premier League while on Tyneside. He scored 11 goals and provided ten assists in 35 games for Eddie Howe’s side during that time.

However, this season, the 25-year-old has produced just six goals and two assists in the top flight, and the club are now looking for a star who can completely replace him.

According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle United are interested in signing Osasuna winger Victor Munoz in next summer’s transfer window.

The report says that the Spanish player, who will play in the World Cup this summer, is the main target to replace Gordon and has held talks with the LaLiga club.

He adds that those talks are expected to intensify in the coming days as the Magpies try to secure the winger’s first contract, rather than dragging it out over the summer.

The Northern Echo also revealed that the 22-year-old talent has a €40m (£35m) release clause in his contract, but Newcastle could be looking to negotiate a separate deal with him, while other clubs are in the race for his signature.

Why Victor Munoz is Newcastle’s perfect replacement for Anthony Gordon

Howe should be delighted with the club’s prospect of progressing in negotiations to sign Munoz in the coming days and weeks as the youngster could be England manager Gordon’s next team.

Without spending record transfer fees and spending almost £100m on a player, it is difficult to sign a guaranteed star to replace the England international, given that they have just sold him for £70m and proven Premier League players come at a premium.

That means the Magpies have to be shrewd in their recruitment and signing Munoz for £35m would be smart business, based on his form for Osasuna in LaLiga in the 2025/26 campaign.

In retrospect, a return of six goals and two assists does not stand out as outstanding, although it is similar to Gordon’s Premier League figures, but some of his more subtle stats suggest there is still more to come.

Munoz’s xA suggests that his teammates’ poor finishing has pushed him down the assist charts, as he is one of LaLiga’s better creators from wide areas, but he was only awarded twice.

His six-goal return from 5.86 xG also shows that he can be an efficient finisher and can provide an even bigger threat in front of goal for a team that creates more chances for him to score.

His excellent touch on Munoz in the opposition box and successful tackle, shows that he is successful in putting himself in dangerous positions to succeed in the final third.

The Spaniard, like Gordon, is a speedy full-back who can carry his team up the pitch with the ball at his feet, using his explosive pace to cause constant problems for opposition defences.

Therefore, Munoz would be the perfect signing to replace Gordon because he is a rising talent who has all the qualities to be Howe’s next star in St. Louis. James’ Park.