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Newcastle UnitedAfter losing 0-2 to Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, the team’s defense had problems.
Eddie HoweOne side is the receiving end Antoine Semenho In particular, he scored his second goal for Manchester City in as many games since joining the club last week.
Frustratingly, the Magpies could have signed the versatile winger in the summer.
they are Linked with £69m transfer It cost them more than they bargained for after Semenho scored at St James’ Park this week.
This means Newcastle must rely on Anthony Gordon He’s done a lot this season, but his form has been spotty.
Comparison between Gordon and Semenio this season
The departure of Isaac in the summer means that the offensive burden on 24-year-old winger Gordon has almost increased.
He certainly hasn’t had an easy campaign so far and doesn’t look like his old self.
This season, the Liverpool-born winger has made 16 appearances in the Premier League, but only scored 2 goals and 1 assist.
It is worth noting that these two goals were not scored in aerial battles, and both were penalty kicks. It’s been almost exactly a year since he last scored in an open game in the top flight.
As for Semenho, his Premier League performances are among the best in the top flight. However, while playing for Manchester City, he has scored 10 times and assisted 3 goals in all 20 games this season in a Bournemouth shirt.
One of the real benefits of Semenho’s game is that he can play on either side and as a number nine. To an extent, Gordon can, too, but he’s certainly not comfortable on the right wing and has played 66% of his games on the left wing for the Magpies.
It’s no surprise, then, that they’re in the market for someone more similar to Semenho’s profile.
Newcastle could now sign Semenho of their own
It was reported late last week that the Magpies were among the teams linked with highly-rated Vasco da Gama starlet Rayan. According to Lee Ryder of The Chronicle
It has been claimed that the Brazilian is worth around £69m, although Ryder has revealed he could be worth closer to £20m, which is still a lot of money for a teenager.
Despite being only 19 years old, Rayan has already impressed Vasco and emerged as a key player, thus attracting interest from Newcastle.
Able to operate out wide or as a number nine, he has shown a keen eye for goal, scoring 20 goals in 57 games in 2025.
A person who was deeply impressed by this young man football analyst ben martinson. He praised his “lethal instinct around the box” and described him as a “star in the making”, which is high praise indeed.
His underlying numbers for the 2025 season show just how effective Rayang can be at such a young age.
For example, he averages 0.42 goals and assists and 1.1 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, underlining his threat in the final third.
|
Lajan Key Statistics for 2025 |
|
|---|---|
|
State (per 90 people) |
number |
|
Goals and assists |
0.42 |
|
Shot on target |
1.3 |
|
missed opportunity |
0.2 |
|
key pass |
0.9 |
|
successful dribbling |
1.1 |
|
Win the air duel |
1.7 |
|
Expected Goal Participation |
0.23xGI |
|
Statistics come from Sofa Rating |
|
It would indeed be bad news for Gordon if Ray Young moves to St James’ Park. His form is undoubtedly a concern, with the England international struggling to make any impact in the Premier League this season.
The Magpies are clearly targeting a versatile forward who can cover both flanks and operate as a number nine.
If the Brazilian comes into the club and starts to move aggressively, he could even overtake Gordon as the go-to option in attack, or limit his playing time at center as more of a rotation option.
For a transfer fee of just £20m, it appears to be a bargain for Newcastle and could really bolster their attacking side after failing to sign versatile striker Semenho in the summer.
