Cucho Hernandez 19 of Colombia drives the ball forward during the FIFA World Cup Group K match between Colombia and Uzbekistan at Mexico City Stadium. on June 17, 2026 / Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United during the Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England on 10 February 2026 / Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley at St. James s Park, Newcastle, England on 6 December 2025
Cucho Hernandez is being targeted by Newcastle United this summer.Imago

Cucho Hernandez has everything Newcastle need as World Cup footage goes viral

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Newcastle United's transfer chiefs could soon be pushing with everything to seal a deal for Real Betis' Cucho Hernandez.

Eddie Howe's current options certainly have set the Premier League alight, with Yoane Wissa potentially already on his way out and Nick Woltemade being forced into different positions.

No player reached double digits for league goals at St James' Park, the first time this has happened since the 2021-22 campaign, when Callum Wilson notched eight.

Life without Alexander Isak has been extremely difficult, and now, the Magpies have already allowed Anthony Gordon to join Barcelona, with Victor Munoz changing his choice to Liverpool.

Howe is under huge pressure to get things right this summer, but right now, it appears that he could be going down with the sinking ship instead.

Simply, the Magpies need to get business done as quickly as possible, and if they're serious about signing Cucho Hernandez, the deal may have to be sealed sooner rather than later.

Premier League is calling for Cucho Hernandez

Newcastle have been strongly linked with two of Real Betis' forwards - Hernandez and Abde Ezzalzouli - but only one of them is at the 2026 World Cup.

With Ezzalzouli suffering an injury just before the tournament kicked off, Betis' 27-year-old striker is now carrying the torch for the La Liga club.

He notched 15 goals and three assists in 40 appearances in 2025-26, and just one game into the World Cup, and he's already showing what he's all about.

Despite starting on the bench, Hernandez needed just 20 minutes to register an assist, delivering a beautiful cross to Jaminton Campaz at the back post.

But it was his actions in the build-up to the goal that caught the attention on social media, having hounded Uzbekistan's Jakhongir Urozov, sending his opposition tumbling in an incredible moment.

During his limited time on the pitch, the centre-forward created one big chance, had seven touches, entered into four duels, and successful delivered one cross [FotMob].

That's what is called a super-sub. And it's that tenacity and drive, and push to prove himself, that Newcastle are in desperate need of, especially in the final third next season.

Cucho Hernandez 19 of Colombia drives the ball forward during the FIFA World Cup Group K match between Colombia and Uzbekistan at Mexico City Stadium. on June 17, 2026 / Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United during the Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England on 10 February 2026 / Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley at St. James s Park, Newcastle, England on 6 December 2025
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Cucho Hernandez 19 of Colombia drives the ball forward during the FIFA World Cup Group K match between Colombia and Uzbekistan at Mexico City Stadium. on June 17, 2026 / Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United during the Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England on 10 February 2026 / Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley at St. James s Park, Newcastle, England on 6 December 2025
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What should Newcastle United fans know about the Real Betis star?

Some football fans may remember Hernandez's time in England with Watford, where he notched five goals and two assists in the Premier League.

It wasn't the worst debut season in England, but pretty soon after, he joined Colombus Crew in the MLS, before earning a move to Spain.

It was really no surprise, having made history with his goalscoring record with Colombus Crew, notching 58 goals and 26 assists in just three seasons.

He also lifted multiple trophies, including the MLS title and the Leagues Cup, and he may feel that he has something to prove at St James' Park following his failed move to Watford.

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