Newcastle can sign Semenyo 2.0 in £20m “star in the making”

Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup defence took a wobble in the first leg of the semi-final, after they lost 2-0 to Manchester City.

Eddie Howe’s side were on the receiving end of an Antoine Semenyo special, who scored his second goal for City in as many games since joining the club last week.

Frustratingly, the Magpies could have signed the versatile winger themselves in the summer.

They were linked with a £69m move for the Ghanaian star, but did not proceed, and that has cost them more than they may have expected, after Semenyo’s goal at St James’ Park this week.

It has meant Newcastle have had to rely on Anthony Gordon lots this season, but his form has been patchy.

How Gordon and Semenyo compare this season

With the departure of Alexander Isak in the summer, it meant that 24-year-old winger Gordon has almost had the attacking burden increased.

He’s certainly not had an easy campaign so far, looking a shadow of his former self.

This term, the Liverpool-born winger has played 16 times in the Premier League, but has only managed to score twice and grab one assist.

Concerningly, neither strike came from open play, with both being penalties. It’s almost exactly one year since he last scored from open play in the top flight.

As for Semenyo, his Premier League form has been amongst the best in the top flight. Yet to play in the competition for City, all 20 appearances this term have come in a Bournemouth shirt, for whom he’s bagged ten times and assisted three goals.

One of the real benefits to Semenyo’s game is the fact that he can play either flank and as a number nine. To an extent, so can Gordon, but he is certainly less comfortable on the right wing and has played 66% of his games for the Magpies on the left.

It might not be a surprise, then, that they are in the market for someone more similar to Semenyo’s profile.

Newcastle could now sign their own Semenyo

As reported late last week, the Magpies are one of the sides linked to highly-rated Vasco da Gama starlet Rayan, according to the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder

There have been claims that the Brazilian could fetch around £69m, although Ryder revealed that he is likely to be valued at closer to £20m, still a significant fee for a teenager.

Despite being just 19 years of age, however, Rayan has already made a huge impression for Vasco and has become a key player, hence Newcastle’s interest.

Able to operate on either flank or as a number nine, he’s shown a real eye for goal, with 20 strikes in 57 games in 2025.

One person who was left impressed by the teenager is football analyst Ben Mattinson. He praised him for his “deadly instincts around the box” and described him as a “star in the making,” which is high praise indeed.

His underlying numbers from the 2025 season show just how effective Rayan is at such a young age.

For example, he averaged 0.42 goals and assists and 1.1 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, highlighting the threat he has in the final third.

It could really be bad news for Gordon if Rayan moves to St James’ Park. His form is certainly a concern, with the England international struggling to have any sort of impact this season in the Premier League.

The Magpies are clearly targeting a versatile forward who can cover both flanks and play as a number nine.

If the Brazilian comes into the club and hits the ground running, he might even overtake Gordon as the first-choice option in attack, or limit his minutes at centre-forward as a more rotational option.

For a fee of just £20m, this seems like a bargain for Newcastle, and could really strengthen their attack after failing to sign a versatile forward, Semenyo, in the summer.

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