The storm that clouded Newcastle United’s early summer transfer period is probably showing signs of decline, even if Eddie Howe’s outfit is rejected against three top targets.
That’s a revelation offering Anthony Elanga, Joan Pedro and James Trafford undoubtedly encountered a chorus of Tyneside, undoubtedly.
At the very least, United shows ambitious intentions. Although they hit Alexander Isaac with a £200 million price tag to drive interest out of Liverpool, the club is sure to be achieved in the coming months.
However, it may be wise for Howe and Co to pin some alternative names to the board. In fact, in Pedro’s case, we found an exciting backup. He may prove a better choice.
Newcastle Open Talk for Elite Forward
According to GivemeSport, Newcastle has launched talks with representatives from Zabi Simons who are trying to welcome the offensive addition this summer.
The 22-year-old playmaker is expected to leave RB Leipzig after failing to qualify for Europe.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are all discussing the player camp, so this is open to the present stage.
Why Newcastle wants Zabi Simons
Although dynamic, Simons is not as attacking as Pedro. Instead, Dutchman integrates creative into intense effects.
He’s a real deal, he’s OK, and given the finances involved, if the push sticks out, he’ll prove an even better signature than Pedro.
Such stunning versatility makes Howe rare, and Simons added a new creative dimension to the side that ended the 2024/25 Premier League season, ranking sixth in the category where big chances were created after finishing the joint seconds with Manchester City (97).
It is clear that Howe needs such a master to take his next great step, and that Simons clearly knows as he is a FBREF, with the top 12% of midfielders and wingers on attacking passes, top 14% of progressive passes, top 18% of shot-making actions, top 7% of ball retrievals, he is clearly aware of the FBREF.
Ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by the player.
Driven in the athletic, Simons added rich quality to the magpie fold, with 10 goals and seven assists in just 25 Bundesliga matches highlighting his clinical nature.
Xavi Simons -RB Leipzig’s career position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
position | App | the goal | assist |
Left winger | 41 | 10 | 11 |
Right winger | 17 | 5 | 5 |
Attacks midfield | 17 | 6 | 7 |
Center Forward | 1 | – | – |
Data via the transfer market | |||
Additionally, he missed two big opportunities, earning an average of two key passes and a successful duel of 5.4 per game. Pedro would be a great offensive addition, but Simons might have a bit more. His versatility could add much to the United Project, both in positional and prolific values.
Pedro is certainly a stable supplier of goal contributions, posting 30 goals and 10 assists in 70 matches, but he is not so sophisticated and actually runs on a more sophisticated berth, so we need to think ISAK will occupy him.
Howe makes sure his players know their duties and toes, but Simons’ vastness is part of what makes him a “superstar” as analyst Ben Matinson said.
Newcastle needs to secure this guy’s signature and beat Premier League opposition to prioritize deals over something like Pedro.
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