Newcastle target Real Betis winger Ezzalzouli to replace Anthony Gordon in £51m deal

Newcastle United have identified Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli as their leading candidate to replace Anthony Gordon, with reports indicating the club would need to trigger a £51m release clause to sign the 24-year-old Moroccan international. Gordon’s departure to Barcelona for around £70m has left a vacancy on the left wing that Eddie Howe is now working to fill.

Ezzalzouli enjoyed one of the standout individual seasons in La Liga this year, contributing 15 goals and 13 assists across 45 appearances as Betis qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 21 years. Newcastle scouts were present at Betis matches against Real Oviedo and Elche during the season, and the player is described as a ‘top target’ by reports from Spain. Betis officials are said to be aware of Newcastle’s interest, though no formal bid has been submitted.

Despite the appeal of the move, several complications could complicate a deal. Ezzalzouli operates almost exclusively on the left flank — he has featured on the right side on just 15 occasions in Spain and only once as a centre-forward — meaning he would not offer Howe the tactical flexibility that Gordon provided. Harvey Barnes would also compete with him for the same position at St James’ Park.

Newcastle’s inability to offer European football next season represents another potential obstacle. Ezzalzouli, who has netted 41 goals and registered 27 assists across 219 senior appearances, has spoken openly about his ambitions at the highest level. Ahead of Betis’s Conference League final against Chelsea, 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, Manchester City, Everton, and Aston Villa are also reportedly monitoring the winger, but Spanish publication Sport, via Sport Witness, suggests Ezzalzouli would find it difficult to turn down Newcastle. The club’s hierarchy has previously shown an ability to persuade targets to choose St James’ Park over rival suitors.

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has underlined the stakes of the coming months, describing this as a critical window for the club following what he characterised as a difficult previous transfer period.