At Newcastle United, it means more. Perhaps that's why the fanbase has been so frustrated this season, venting their concerns as Eddie Howe's side slipped away from European contention and into mid-table mediocrity.

Howe has earned his flowers, though, and believes he has the tools to bring the Magpies back into the Champions League and toward silverware once again. He's done it before.

The fall from grace has resulted in several setbacks, though. Anthony Gordon has been sold to Barcelona for £69m, and Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento also face uncertain futures at St. James' Park.

Newcastle cannot afford another below-par Premier League campaign, and to avoid disaster, it's imperative that Gordon is effectively replaced.

Newcastle move close to signing Gordon replacement

Gordon scored 17 goals for Newcastle this season. Given that Alexander Isak was inadequately replaced ten months ago, securing first-class forwards this summer is non-negotiable.

PIF are keeping their options open, and the installment of Ross Wilson as the technical director offers some much-needed clarity at the start of the summer window.

As per a number of sources, including the ever-reliable Craig Hope, Newcastle are in "positive talks" to seal the signing of Victor Munoz from Spanish side Osasuna.

While he insists that nothing is agreed yet, Fabrizio Romano further reports that the Toon are "confident" of securing the move "very soon" after lodging a £26m bid earlier on Thursday.

Newcastle need such a profile now that Gordon has left for La Liga. Munoz packs a similar punch, and he might even have a bit of Allan Saint-Maximin about him.

Why Munoz can be Newcastle's new Saint-Maximin

Newcastle have improved since the days of Saint-Maximin, that thrilling yet inconsistent winger, with Gordon a streamlined and improved version.

Saint-Maximin, now 29, scored 13 goals and supplied 21 assists for the Toon. He blew hot and cold, and no mistake, but certainly knew how to raise the roof, and Munoz could bring something similar to the Premier League - with the potential to far outstrip his positional peer's impact under Howe's wing.

Munoz, 22, has all the attributes to thrive at the highest level. He is strong and stylish, quick and unpredictable. This is evidenced through his data in the Spanish top flight this season, already more robust than Saint-Maximin during his Newcastle days.

The last time ASM played in the Premier League for Newcastle, injuries and Howe's preferences dragged him away from the limelight, but his pace and physicality stayed firm, and Munoz would bring that back to the club, sort of a hybrid between Gordon and the Frenchman.

Not only a relentless dribbler, Munoz gets stuck in and wins plenty of duels, with Football Espana editor Ruairidh Barlow remarking that "there's no easy way to stop him".

His fleet-footedness and skill down the wing would provide for the Toon fanbase the thrill factor that Saint-Maximin invariably provided, even on an off day in the Premier League.

But whether he builds up his potency in the final third remains to be seen. That will be the difference between cult status, such as Saint-Maximin holds on Tyneside, and a career at the highest level, as Gordon is pursuing now that he has signed for Barcelona.

Munoz has superstar potential, and while Gordon's absence will be keenly felt on Tyneside next year, the Spanish forward could help put anxieties to rest by dovetailing into a resurgent Magpies attack.