Toon target Rowe as Gordon’s heir while Villa lurk: a Premier League tug‑of‑war brews

Newcastle United are eyeing Bologna livewire Jonathan Rowe as they scramble to replenish their wide options after Anthony Gordon’s exit to Barcelona, with Aston Villa among several Premier League rivals muscling in for the English winger. Reports from TEAMtalk suggest the Magpies have sounded out what a deal might look like, though they’ll have to prise him from a club in no mood to sell.

The chase: Toon versus Villa — and a queue behind them

Rowe, 23, moved to Serie A from Marseille last summer and wasted no time making himself a mainstay in Bologna’s attack, chalking up eight goals and four assists across all competitions. That form has set off alarms up and down England: alongside Newcastle and Villa, Manchester United have made enquiries, while Everton and Chelsea are also keeping tabs, per the same report.

Newcastle’s need for speed out wide

Eddie Howe’s blueprint leans heavily on pace and directness in transition, which is why Gordon’s departure bites. With Sandro Tonali already gone and Bruno Guimarães strongly linked with Arsenal, Newcastle can’t afford to dither. Rowe ticks the right boxes: he runs in behind, carries the ball with intent, and he’s comfortable attacking either channel.

Why Rowe fits the brief

Here’s the nub for me: Rowe doesn’t just mirror Gordon’s off‑the‑ball threat — he brings a touch more craft when play slows down. The Bologna flier has been completing around 2.74 dribbles per 90 in Italy, proof he can unpick set defences as well as scorch teams in transition. Formerly of Norwich City, he’s an English talent who looks primed to explode back on home soil if given the platform.

Bologna’s stance: bring a big chequebook

There’s the snag. Bologna, fresh from a top‑eight finish with Rowe integral to their surge, aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for buyers. TEAMtalk indicate Newcastle have explored the parameters of a deal with a view to moving later in the window, but any Premier League suitor will need to stump up a sizeable fee to tempt the Rossoblù.

Tactics board: how Howe could use him

Slot Rowe on the left and you get the classic burst to the byline and early cut‑backs for the No 9; flip him to the right and he can drive inside, link with midfield and feed runners beyond. For Alexander Isak, it’s a dream pairing — a winger who commits defenders and creates space in the box. And for Howe’s pressing game, Rowe’s energy adds bite without the ball.

Villa, United and the rest: a proper scrap

Don’t underestimate Villa’s pull under Unai Emery — they love a rapid wide man and have European football dangling as bait. United sniffing around complicates matters further, while Everton and Chelsea lurking means any hesitation could see Newcastle left at the lights.

For those weighing up the market angles, our best betting sites roundup is worth a look — and transfer odds can swing fast once a bidding war kicks off.

The verdict

If Newcastle push the button and pay up, Rowe looks tailor‑made to plug the Gordon‑shaped hole with a bit of extra sauce on the dribble. But with Bologna digging in and rivals circling, this one’s heading for late‑window drama. Over to you, Toon hierarchy — do you blink, or do you back Howe and get it done?