Newcastle are reportedly switching their attentions to a target with experience impressing in England after Benjamin Sesko decided to join Manchester United instead
Vangelis Pavlidis of Greece celebrates scoring his team's first goal as he gestures towards his black armband in honour of the passing of former Greek football player George Baldock
Newcastle are reportedly weighing up a move for Vangelis Pavlidis as an alternative to Benjamin Sesko, who appears bound for Old Trafford
(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
After giving the Three Lions a run for their money at Wembley last year, Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis could be making his way to the Premier League this summer. That's after Newcastle United have been forced to move their attention from Benjamin Sesko following his decision to join Manchester United instead.
Benfica frontman Pavlidis, 26, made a mockery of a full-strength England side featuring the likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka in the UEFA Nations League last October. He rounded off a decisive brace in the 94th minute, securing Greece's first victory over England just moments after Bellingham seemed to have salvaged a result for the home side.
Nearly a year on from that shock result, The Sun has reported Newcastle are contemplating a move for Pavlidis, who is believed to have an £87million release clause. And much will depend on the immediate future of Alexander Isak, who faces an uncertain fate in the northeast.
The Swede is training separately from the rest of the Newcastle squad after expressing his wish to explore other opportunities. He opted out of Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia and instead travelled to former club Real Sociedad for individual training amid rumours of Liverpool's interest.
The Reds continue to be closely linked with a potential move for Isak despite having already shelled out a combined £170m on attacking duo Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. Liverpool recently had a bid of around £110m for Isak rebuffed by the Magpies but are believed to be considering a second proposal.
There's a possibility the transfer could be resurrected following Liverpool's agreement to sell Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal for an initial sum of £46m. This opens up another vacancy in the Anfield forward line after Luis Diaz joined Bayern Munich in a deal worth £65.5m.
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig applauds the fans after defeating VfL Wolfsburg during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig
Benjamin Sesko is closing in on a move to Manchester United
Newcastle reportedly had scouts present during Benfica's 2-0 win over Nice in a Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. Despite the Greek striker failing to score, Newcastle may benefit from the fact Benfica's recent signing, Franjo Ivanovic, did find the back of the net on the French Riviera.
Pavlidis has already found his mark this season, however. He scored the solitary goal in Benfica's Portuguese Super Cup triumph over Sporting CP in what could be a sweet parting gift should he depart.
The Thessaloniki-born hitman netted 30 goals and provided 13 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions for the Eagles last season. Nineteen of those came in the Primeira Liga, where only Viktor Gyokeres, now at Arsenal, scored more (39).
Benfica parted with around £15m to secure the forward from AZ Alkmaar after he led the Eredivisie scoring charts in the 2023/24 season. However, they look set to recoup that investment several times over just one year on if they decide to sell, even if Newcastle manage to negotiate a fee below his release clause.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson looks down on the pitch
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson reportedly leads Newcastle's list of striker targets
However, the likelihood of that may be slim given Pavlidis still has four years remaining on his contract. The Telegraph has reported Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson remains at the top of Newcastle's list of striker targets should they decide to sell Isak this summer.
Jackson, 24, is likely to find game time hard to come by this season after Chelsea brought in both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro during the summer transfer window. And the Senegal international does have the advantage of having already played in England's top division.
That said, many supporters on Tyneside might prefer their team take more of a gamble, considering Jackson's record in the Premier League has been less than prolific. Pavlidis was also reportedly on the radar of the Red Devils before they seemingly secured Sesko, with Newcastle now potentially considering him as an option after having to change plans again.