Alious
In a fiercely contested FA Cup clash between Newcastle United and Brighton, Anthony Gordon’s late red card dramatically shifted the momentum. Gordon was dismissed in the closing moments of regular time after pushing Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke — an incident that, while looking worse than it truly was, still justified the sending-off and an ensuing three-match suspension.
Following Gordon’s departure, Brighton swiftly capitalized, netting an equaliser that forced extra time. It was during this additional period that Danny Welbeck delivered the decisive blow, knocking Newcastle out of the competition.
Ironically, despite that fiery encounter, Newcastle are now being linked with a summer move for van Hecke. According to *The Boot Room*, the Magpies have identified the 24-year-old defender as a potential addition to their squad. The situation around Lloyd Kelly’s possible return to Juventus could complicate Newcastle’s broader defensive plans, but the club is reportedly pushing ahead with recruitment strategies as if Kelly’s sale will proceed unhindered.
Van Hecke, still a few years away from his prime, is seen as a promising prospect — one that Eddie Howe could help develop further. Financially, a deal for van Hecke would likely be much more affordable than last year’s unsuccessful pursuit of Marc Guehi, representing smart business for Newcastle.
Moreover, van Hecke’s recent emergence in the Netherlands national team setup, alongside a recovering Sven Botman, hints at the possibility of a future Dutch defensive partnership both at St James’ Park and on the international stage.
If the price is right, bringing van Hecke to Tyneside could prove to be a shrewd and strategic acquisition.
Alious
