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It is no secret that Newcastle United will be in the market to sign a new left winger 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 a fee of £70m at the end of last month, over 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 side Osasuna to sign left winger Victor Munoz as a potential replacement for Gordon.
The 22-year-old attacker produced six goals and two assists in LaLiga during the 2025/26 campaign, matching Gordon’s tally for goals and assists in the Premier League for Newcastle.
He has also been called up for the Spain squad for the World Cup this summer and strong performances at the tournament could harm the club’s chances of landing a deal for his services.
Newcastle United are in talks to sign Bundesliga forward
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 suitable replacement for the England international.
However, the Premier League side are reportedly looking at another European forward who would be an even better signing to replace the Barcelona winger than Munoz.
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle United are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Said El Mala from Koln in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Magpies have made contact with the player’s representatives and are in active talks to persuade the winger to make a move to St. James’ Park in the off-season.
It adds that Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have stepped in to pursue the 19-year-old forward after Brentford’s £44m deal to sign him collapsed because they were unwilling to sign his brother Malek as part of the move.
TEAMtalk reveals that the Magpies and the Tricky Trees are exploring creative ways to get around the desire for them to sign Malek as part of a transfer, but it remains to be seen how they will navigate that.
Why Newcastle must sign Said El Mala over Victor Munoz
If it comes down to them signing one or the other, Eddie Howe must push for the club to sign El Mala instead of Munoz to replace Gordon on the left flank this summer.
Whilst the Osasuna forward has shown great promise, scoring six goals in LaLiga and making the Spain squad, the German star looks like he could be a far better option for the Magpies.
El Mala’s form in the Bundesliga suggests that he even has the potential to offer more at the top end of the pitch than Gordon, who scored six goals and provided two assists, did in the Premier League for Newcastle.
|
25/26 season |
Munoz (LaLiga) |
El Mala (Bundesliga) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
34 |
34 |
|
xG |
5.86 |
11.22 |
|
Goals |
6 |
13 |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
8 |
|
Assists |
2 |
4 |
|
Successful dribbles per game |
2.2 |
1.3 |
Said to be “unstoppable” in the words of analyst and reporter Bence Bocsak, the 19-year-old forward, who can play on the left wing or through the middle as a centre-forward, scored more than twice as many goals as Munoz, and registered twice as many assists.
Meanwhile, no Newcastle player hit double figures for goals in the Premier League this season, as Bruno Guimaraes led the way with nine goals, and the German star could arrive as Howe’s most dangerous attacking force.
Munoz’s return of six goals, however, does not suggest that he would immediately solve the club’s goalscoring issues heading into the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, which is why the Koln star looks like a better fit for what Howe needs this summer.
The £44m-rated star is unproven in the Premier League, as he has only showcased his quality in the Bundesliga, but he has a physical profile that suggests that he would be well-suited to the physicality of English football.
El Mala was described as a “rare” winger by U23 scout Antonio Mango because he has a “robust” frame and has the physicality to hold off strong full-backs, which then allows him to carry the ball into dangerous positions to make an impact at the top end of the pitch.
The teenage star could be the perfect signing for Newcastle to replace Gordon because he is a proven scorer and creator, who looks more effective than Munoz, and has the physical attributes that Howe wants in his team.
However, it is now down to the club to put together a deal that makes sense for all parties, whether that means signing his brother Malek as part of the move or not.
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