Newcastle in talks to sign £25m star

Newcastle United are reeling from manager Thomas Tuchel’s decision to leave Lewis Hall out of England’s World Cup squad, with the Three Lions manager perhaps overlooking the quality of players Eddie Howe has at his disposal.

At least he will be rested for the new campaign and then for the success that has overtaken the Magpies so far this year. Newcastle have not played a game this year, could finish bottom of the Premier League and could be on domestic duty next year.

Howe has worked wonders in recent years, but Hall’s exclusion speaks to United’s slump this season. They need to step back into the spotlight, but they need to do so without Anthony Gordon, who appears set to leave.

How Newcastle plan to replace Gordon

Gordon is included in the England squad and will be jockeyed for qualification, but is expected to feature prominently under Tuchel.

This could be Gordon’s last performance as a Newcastle player, with Bayern Munich thought to be close to a £75m deal.

It goes without saying that Newcastle need new parts in attack. They need a striker and also a more direct replacement for Gordon. We cannot repeat the tragedy of Alexander Isaac.

Now, according to correspondent Craig Hope, Newcastle are in talks to sign LOSC Lille winger Matias Fernandes-Pardo, who has been named as the perfect replacement for Gordon on the left wing.

Borussia Dortmund are also pursuing the Belgian forward, and have indeed made early inquiries, and with a valuation of €30m (about £25m), Newcastle need to make a quick decision, which will prove difficult throughout the interminable stretch of summer 2025.

Why Fernandes Pardo could replace Gordon at Newcastle

Newcastle writer Pete Davey said Fernandes-Pardo was an “exciting replacement for Gordon”, someone who would get fans out of their seats and make things happen in the final third.

Although still far from being a finished product, the Belgian talent, who has been called up to the Red Devils’ World Cup squad, has had an excellent season with Lille in Ligue 1 and is strong, attacking and willing to take on opponents. In that regard, he has the right skill set to dance in Gordon’s channel.

Gordon will definitely fail big time. He is talented and tenacious in equal measure, willing to accept a central role in Howe’s system and leading in the space vacated by Isaac.

However, there was a long feeling that the Liverpool-born winger would eventually move on and not spend the rest of his playing days under the lights at St James’ Park.

That’s fine. He has made significant contributions to the Howe Project and will likely be replaced if a suitable successor is brought in.

Fernández-Pardo could be that man. He may be young and inexperienced, but he has already made waves in the Bundesliga with his versatility and fluid dribbling skills and is beloved by the Thun hierarchy.

A unique and talented runner who is comfortable across the front, perfect positionally and weaves into so many promising positions to make things happen. Although he has yet to hone his clinical acumen, there is no doubt that the amount of chances he has created in the danger zone speaks volumes about his potential in front of goal.

He has a lot in his locker, which will only get better over the next few years. Flashy, fast and with huge potential backed by an unparalleled work ethic, Fernandes-Pardo is the real deal and has the potential to not only replace Gordon but ultimately outperform Howe’s England side on Tyneside.