Newcastle advancing move for £40m “goal machine”, he’s a dream Joao Pedro alternative – opinion
Newcastle United Begin Transfer Push as Summer Business Slowly Picks Up Pace
Newcastle United’s summer transfer activity is finally starting to gather momentum, even if it’s been a somewhat sluggish start to the window. After a period of relative quiet, the Magpies are beginning to stir, showing signs that they’re ready to reinforce a squad that delivered impressively last season.
Eddie Howe’s side ended the Premier League campaign on a high, finishing inside the top five and booking a return to the UEFA Champions League. That achievement followed their Carabao Cup success earlier in March, capping off what was arguably their most successful season in recent memory. Optimism has since been sky-high on Tyneside, with fans eagerly awaiting the club’s next steps in the transfer market.
Elanga Bid Rejected, Attention Turns to Attacking Targets
Newcastle’s first notable move saw them table a £45 million bid for Nottingham Forest’s dynamic winger Anthony Elanga. The Sweden international, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, remains a key part of Forest’s plans and the bid was swiftly rebuffed.
Undeterred, Newcastle have pivoted their attention toward other forward options, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro has emerged as a major target. The Brazilian forward is expected to depart the AMEX this summer, and Newcastle are keen to strike before rival clubs swoop in. Pedro, just 23, enjoyed a productive campaign with the Seagulls, netting 30 goals and laying on ten assists across 70 appearances in all competitions.
Blessed with speed, movement, and an intelligent sense of positioning, Pedro could slot in seamlessly at Newcastle, either playing alongside star striker Alexander Isak or drifting out wide to provide additional width and penetration.
Chelsea Interest Forces Newcastle to Weigh Up Alternatives
However, Pedro is not short of admirers. Chelsea are also believed to be interested in securing the Brazilian’s services, which has led Newcastle to explore alternatives—one of which is a high-profile move for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
According to Football Insider, Newcastle are closely monitoring Rashford’s situation and could move to sign him on loan if a permanent deal elsewhere fails to materialize. Manchester United’s new co-owners INEOS are reportedly open to a sale, but few clubs have yet shown willingness to meet the asking price or match Rashford’s hefty £300,000-a-week wages. Newcastle would expect the 27-year-old to accept a significant pay cut if he were to join.
Why Rashford Could Be the Ideal Signing for Newcastle
Despite enduring a turbulent period over the past couple of seasons, Rashford still possesses elite-level talent. Once heralded as one of the brightest forwards in England, the Manchester-born attacker has struggled with form and consistency—but his ceiling remains sky-high.
Manager Eddie Howe is thought to be intrigued by Rashford’s versatility and proven pedigree. Able to operate on the left wing or as a central striker, the England international could add a new layer of unpredictability and dynamism to Newcastle’s frontline. Under Howe’s guidance—a coach renowned for revitalising the careers of underperforming talents—Rashford may rediscover the form that made him a household name.
His stats offer encouragement. At his peak, Rashford delivered 17-goal Premier League seasons and earned praise from pundits like Mazola Molefe, who described him as a “goal machine.” Even during a difficult campaign last term, he managed ten goal involvements in just 17 appearances during a short loan spell at Aston Villa.
Data from FBref underscores his enduring value: Rashford ranked in the top 14% of Premier League attackers for goals scored per 90 minutes (0.38), suggesting he still possesses the instincts and sharpness to thrive—particularly in a more structured, supportive environment like Newcastle’s.
Pedro vs. Rashford: Who Fits the Bill?
While Joao Pedro offers promise and flair, he has yet to consistently deliver at the very top level. Rashford, on the other hand, has already proved he can perform in the most competitive arenas, from the Premier League to the Champions League. If Newcastle are looking for a player who can make an immediate impact and elevate the club’s ambitions, Rashford may well be the more transformative signing.
Of course, there are risks involved. Rashford needs the right environment to flourish again, and there’s no guarantee he’ll recapture his best form. But for Newcastle—a club on the rise with Champions League football and a clear project under Howe’s leadership—it might be the perfect setting for a career revival.
A Defining Summer Awaits
As the summer window unfolds, Newcastle’s recruitment decisions will be pivotal. The ambition is clearly there, and with European football back on the agenda, the need for depth and quality is greater than ever. Whether it’s Joao Pedro, Marcus Rashford, or another target altogether, the Magpies look poised to build on their momentum and aim even higher in the upcoming campaign.