Newcastle United are moving at lightning speed to salvage their summer transfer window. Just hours after suffering a humiliating market blow—where Spanish international Víctor Muñoz sensationally rejected the Magpies at the 11th hour to sign for Liverpool—the Tyneside hierarchy has launched an immediate counter-offensive.
The club has officially reignited blockbusting talks to sign Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli, with senior scouts claiming the Moroccan powerhouse is actually far better equipped for the rigors of the Premier League than Muñoz ever was.
The Liverpool Hijack: How the Muñoz Deal Collapsed
According to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey, Newcastle’s recruitment staff had been working simultaneously on multi-million pound deals for both Muñoz and Ezzalzouli over the last month.
The pursuit of Osasuna star Muñoz was completely finalized, with Real Madrid even signing off on their intricate buy-back clauses. Muñoz’s representatives had explicitly informed Newcastle that the player was completely committed to moving to Tyneside.
In a dramatic and infuriating twist for Eddie Howe, Liverpool swooped in with a late, aggressive proposal just 24 hours later. Muñoz immediately broke his word to the Magpies, choosing Anfield over St. James’ Park and leaving the Newcastle boardroom completely empty-handed.
The 28 G/A Pivot: Why Ezzalzouli is the Superior Option
Rather than licking their wounds, Newcastle have aggressively pivoted back to long-term target Ezzalzouli. The 24-year-old former Barcelona graduate is coming off an absolutely staggering individual campaign in La Liga, racking up an elite 15 goals and 13 assists across all competitions for Real Betis.
While losing Muñoz caused initial panic inside the fan base, structural figures within the game believe it might be a blessing in disguise. A senior Premier League scout informed TEAMtalk that Ezzalzouli’s raw, explosive power, lightning pace, and relentless drive to attack defenders in isolated one-on-one scenarios make him an instant upgrade for Newcastle’s missing left wing depth.
The Injury Status: Reassuring News for Eddie Howe
The primary question mark surrounding the Moroccan international involves a cruel injury setback. Ezzalzouli was tragically forced to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a sprained medial ligament in his knee on the absolute eve of the tournament.
However, sources close to the player have completely reassured Newcastle’s medical department. The winger is already well advanced in a specialized rehabilitation programme and is firmly on track to join first-team pre-season training within the month.
With fresh dialogue officially underway between Newcastle and Betis chiefs, Howe is determined to close this deal quickly to ensure the club doesn’t get blindsided by another elite European predator.
Should Newcastle United forget about the Liverpool hijack and go all-out for Abde Ezzalzouli, or is his recent knee injury too big of a risk for a £50M+ transfer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
