Newcastle United can quickly fill the hole left behind by Anthony Gordon’s sale with one of Europe’s hottest talents…
An anticipated busy summer for Newcastle United became even more complex following the departure of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for around £69million. However, Eddie Howe could remedy the left wing vacancy left by the Liverpudlian with a swoop for Real Betis star Abde Ezzalzouli.
The Moroccan winger has had a fine season for Betis, helping the club reach the Champions League for the first time in 21 years. He bagged 15 goals and 13 assists across 45 appearances and reports suggest the 24-year-old is a ‘top target’ for Newcastle with a £51m release clause.
Sources in Spain reported that Newcastle scouts watched Ezzalzouli in games against Real Oviedo and Elche this season. The Moroccan international helped his side win both games, weighing in with a goal and an assist in the victory over Oviedo.
Betis chiefs are well aware of Newcastle’s interest in Ezzalzouli, but, as of yet, no bid has materialised. There are some sticking points.
Newcastle would be paying big money for a player who predominantly features just on the left. The ex-Barcelona youngster has played as a right-sided attacker just 15 times in Spain and just the once as a centre-forward.
He won’t give Howe the versatility that Gordon could. Harvey Barnes would also battle Ezzalzouli for the left-hand side, meaning the Moroccan may prefer to join a club where he can waltz in and make the flank his own.
The winger has 41 goals and 27 assists from his 219 senior games and he doesn’t lack ambition. Speaking last year before Real Betis played Chelsea in the Conference League final, Ezzalzouli said he could handle the heat at the top level, which could prove an issue with Newcastle not being able to offer European football next season.
He told Diario de Sevilla: “I like criticism to shut them up. Whoever they put in front of me, I’ll eat them alive.” Chelsea and Manchester City, as well as Everton and Aston Villa, are said to be keen, but according to Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness), Ezzalzouli would find it hard to turn down Newcastle.
The St James’ Park hierarchy have shown their persuasive powers plenty of times in the past and can work their magic to immediately replace Gordon and make him their first summer signing. Newcastle may have to move fast, with Alan Shearer believing the club don’t have much margin for error this summer.
“It’s a really, really important summer for Newcastle. I do believe last summer’s transfer window has set them back two years but we have to accept that and get on with it,” he said. “They’re still in a healthy position, and it’ll be a really important, interesting summer ahead for Newcastle.
“I don’t think they’ll go for £70million players. I think they will go for young, up-and-coming, energetic, point-to-prove players like when they signed Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.
“They need to get six or seven players out and they need to get six or seven in. And I think that’s players that are either going to be playing, or without doubt, pushing for first-team spots. It does need a refresh, there’s no doubt.”
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