It's weekend notebook time again as Newcastle United start to think about Anthony Gordon's replacement
Abde Ezzalzouli of Real Betis
Abde Ezzalzouli of Real Betis(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United are aware of Abde Ezzalzouli's tempting £51million release clause after whittling down their search for Anthony Gordon's replacement this week.
Sporting director Ross Wilson has taken the lead on Newcastle's recruitment search and while Newcastle will not panic, they will also be looking to ensure they are prepared well in advance for the Premier League's big kick off with hopes high an early deal can be struck after Gordon's departure.
Head coach Eddie Howe has taken a short break after the 2025/26 season ended in flat fashion at Fulham last Sunday, but the workaholic boss is never far from his phone!
Morocco star Ezzalzouli, 24, is a former Barcelona man who did not quite hit the heights at the Nou Camp and ended up leaving in 2023 for Osasuna on loan before becoming a star at Real Betis.
At 24, he is arguably slightly older than the profile of star Newcastle are in the market for - with PIF preferring even younger stars - but there could be exceptions in some cases.
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Ezzalzouli does not have any shortage of interested suitors, with Juventus, Benfica and Paris St-Germain showing interest in the past, but the star has more recently been looked at by Aston Villa and even Barca themselves, who have taken a second look.
After Real Betis qualified for the Champions League, there is no immediate pressure for the left winger to quit the La Liga side following a fifth-place finish.
But after 15 goals and 13 assists from 45 matches in all competitions, there is no doubt that a signing of Ezzalzouli's talent would get Newcastle fans excited this summer.
Anthony Gordon turning point revealed
The winger's departure this week was a far cry from Alexander Isak's thorny exit back in August as Gordon said farewell to team-mates at the hotel in London on Sunday morning.
Gordon then pulled on a Newcastle shirt for the final time at Craven Cottage but was again an unused substitute.
Chronicle Live brought you exclusive images of Gordon staging a long chat with coach Graeme Jones just ahead of that 2-0 loss to the Cottagers.
But he left on great terms with Newcastle staff and for months there has been an understanding that somebody would have to be sold this summer in order to facilitate purchases.
And while Newcastle have tried to play down Gordon's exit and attempted to focus on Premier League results, there is no doubt his exit was expected by those behind the scenes.
This week Chronicle Live revealed that we were contacted back in March by a third party who indicated Gordon would be highly likely to leave if the right price was met.
That message was delivered in the direct aftermath of the Champions League exit against Barcelona but there was also caution as at that stage it was unclear whether the asking price - which we now know was £69.3m - would be met.
However, Gordon's swift departure this week shows that the wheels were already in motion on the deal and the player's representatives moved quickly to get a deal done before the World Cup.
Newcastle bolster loans department
The Magpies are looking to improve their loans department this summer and are expected to make a couple of changes to hot prospects going out for experience.
From next season, those loan stars will have access to a personal physio that can run checks on Newcastle's stars and report back to base on injuries, conditioning and knocks.
United have had difficulty getting key information on loan deals in recent times with promising winger Trevan Sanusi enduring some injury woe durig his spell at Lorient.
Lorient head coach Olivier Pantaloni said at the end of the season: "He arrived injured and it dragged on. Then, we mustn't forget that he's a young player, arriving from a foreign country, who doesn't speak the language.
"He found himself in a group that has been working together for a long time, with playing principles and training methods that are perhaps different from those at Newcastle. It was difficult for him."
But Newcastle will bring in a medic to help oversee stars away on loan whether in the UK or abroad.
The club's advert reads: "As Talent Management (Loans) Physiotherapist, you will be the key medical point of contact for Newcastle United players on loan, ensuring best‑practice physiotherapy, rehabilitation and communication between the Club and loan partners. "You will work closely with loan club medical teams, internal multi‑disciplinary staff, and senior medical leadership to deliver consistent, high‑quality care that reflects our standards and values."