Newcastle Identify Porto Winger William Gomes as Long-Term Anthony Gordon Alternative

FC Porto, the talent mine of Portuguese football, is once again on the verge of presenting a new superstar candidate to world football. 

The 20-year-old winger William Gomes, who emerged from the Brazilian school and matured in the rigorous and technical climate of the Dragão, has become one of the most talked-about names of the Summer 2026 transfer window. 

Having stepped into Europe after being caught in Porto’s extensive scouting network from the São Paulo academy, the young talent’s performance has attracted not only Portugal but also the giants of the Premier League.

First Impressions on the Pitch

Gomes, who was transferred from São Paulo in January 2025 for a fee of €9 million, has enchanted the technical staff with his performance since setting foot at the Dragão. 

Reaching a total of 13 goals across all competitions in the 2025-26 season (8 in the league, 4 in Europe), the Brazilian player stands out not only with his pace but also with his composure in front of goal. 

Specifically, his performances and goals against Stuttgart and Nottingham Forest in the Europa League ensured his name was highlighted with stars in the reports of Premier League scouts. Capable of reaching a top speed of 36.5 km/h, the player has become one of Europe’s most dangerous winger profiles with his runs behind the defensive line.

"Release Clause is on the Table"

According to information leaked from the FC Porto management, the club is currently strictly against letting the player go. Despite having a structure that always necessitates player sales financially, it is believed that William Gomes is only at the beginning of his development and his value will reach record levels within the next 1-2 years. 

However, the contract terms, an indispensable element of the Portuguese tradition, open the door for major bids.

The €80 million release clause in the player’s contract, which runs until 2029, is the biggest trump card strengthening Porto’s hand. The club president and the transfer committee have decided not to even bring any offer below the €60-70 million mark to the negotiation table. However, the massive budgets of the Premier League could cause this resistance to break.

The Premier League Radar

One of the most loudly discussed claims in the transfer corridors is that Newcastle United has pulled the trigger for Gomes. 

Newcastle scouts have been following the player since his São Paulo days and recently took their places in the stands during Porto’s European matches. 

Set as Plan B against a potential departure of Anthony Gordon, Newcastle is expected to knock on the door with an offer of approximately £43.5 million (€50 million).

On the other hand, Arsenal and Chelsea are also closely monitoring the player’s situation.