Newcastle Line Up Move for Said El Mala to Replace Anthony Gordon

He studied journalism at the University of South Wales and published a football book, named Bluebird Heaven, around the same time with Pitch Publishing.

Since then, Jamie has continued to specialise in football journalism, PR and football-related Spanish translation. He has worked with a number of media companies, including Reach PCL, Iconic Group and many more over a decade-long career. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account Newcastle United are still searching for an Anthony Gordon replacement, and a Bundesliga target is now said to be coming into sharper focus. The Magpies Gordon before the transfer window had even officially opened, which was the worst way to start a summer that has Eddie Howe under pressure.

Howe has worked wonders at St James' Park, but he knows that even he doesn't have enough credit in the bank to survive back-to-back bottom half finishes based on Newcastle's budget and expectations.

That means he and the club must get this summer, and indeed next season, spot on to ensure there is a bounce back from a disappointing campaign of last.

Newcastle have been linked with a number of wingers this summer, and it is no secret they missed out on Víctor Muñóz to Liverpool despite extensive effort. Attention now turns to new targets, and according to the Daily Mail, Koln winger Said El Mala is one of the targets being considered.

El Mala has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the past. In fact, Brentford were said to have agreed a £43million deal for him previously, but the player's camp shut down the deal, with his mother reportedly playing a big role in rejecting the move.

The 'one in a million' 19-year-old is a talented left-winger who very much fits the profile of replacing Gordon, being a quick and agile winger who loves going face-to-face with his marker. He also has an eye for goal and is coming off a season that saw him score 13, while he also assisted five.

El Mala is in for a big move sooner or later, and Newcastle would likely have to go above the £43million Brentford agreed, given the winger has continued to impress since then. But the Magpies have the money to spend, especially after the Gordon sale.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Kerim Alajbegovic are also been linked with a move to St James' Park, but Liverpool are said to have some interest in the former.

El Mala is seen as one of the best up-and-coming young attacking talents in Europe, and his stock is even higher in Germany than elsewhere.

Even Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany singled him out after a game during the season just gone. He said: "If the counter ends with his goal, this boy has a lot to do with it, of course. He’s got that first burst of acceleration, and then a second one in the same move. That surprises many defenders. From that high-speed action, he can get into a shooting position, and he does that very well.”

Newcastle United are keen to sign James Trafford from Manchester City with the player open to a move