Newcastle have seen a £39m bid accepted to sign a bigger talent than Munoz

Throughout the 2025/26 season, Newcastle United have been out of contention at any point, but if Eddie Howe gets his summer transfer strategy right, they could return to title-winning form before long.

It is fair to say that the glass-full view may not be shared by all Magpies influencers, who must feel as if they are living in the middle of Groundhog Day, Victor Munoz stolen by Liverpool, Anthony Gordon sold to Barcelona, ​​​​Sandro Tonali now followed by the boys of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

But there’s plenty of time to get things right for the Toon, who can’t afford to suffer another subpar season. How is he, he will not survive.

Newcastle need to start adding real quality to their first team.

Newcastle’s study bid will be accepted instead of Munoz

Munoz would have been a great signing, but he is not the only winner on Newcastle’s shortlist, with Said El Mala and Real Betis’ Ez Abde also considered.

However, there has been a lack of attention from the right side, which has struggled to connect well with the forwards last season. Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy both recommend cheating.

According to AS Roma Live in Italy, the line-up of Porto winger William Gomes is growing, with Newcastle joining Italian outfit Juventus and, you guessed it, Roma in the race.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also interested, but appear to be focused on other targets, so Howe and company could have a clearer shot than they have been used to over the past 12 months.

Gomes, 20, has a release clause of €80m (£69m) in his contract, but it is understood his Portuguese employers will entertain offers in the region of €45m (£39m).

Why Gomes would be a better signing than Munoz

Gomes hasn’t been on the big stage with Porto for a long time. In fact, he only cemented a place in the first team last season, enjoying eight appearances the year before.

Hailed as a “world-class” talent by another Brazilian journalist, Gomes is still growing in his own skin, as evidenced by the fact that he made nine starts in Liga Portugal last season.

However, his great ability is beyond doubt. Throughout the campaign, he scored eight goals, missing one big chance.

Munoz, by contrast, has scored just six times in La Liga, matching Gordon’s tally in the Premier League over the past two campaigns. Howe may be hoping to improve on Gomes’s ability and ongoing metrics, but Newcastle were unsuccessful in the final third last season, and he could prove a game-changer in that regard.

What is clear from the first reading is that this Brazilian young man who plays with his left foot likes to score goals and that is why the conspiracy of Newcastle is being looked at.

He also likes to create opportunities for his teammates, all pointing to the pieces that Howe can use to develop a new star down the right wing. The frustrating part, of course, is that as he tends to be on the right, he may be creating a damaging relationship with Munoz, but maybe that’s where El Mala or Ez Abde come in.

Gomes’ physicality and, at times, ferocious personality down the right wing have made him a force to be reckoned with, even early in his career.

The fact that the fast-paced Elanga is already working in the same area could work in Gomes’ favour, allowing him to progress with Newcastle in the Premier League and make an impact in a resurgent Magpies squad next season.