Newcastle United are yet to win a Premier League game this season, following a draw with Aston Villa and a late defeat at home to Liverpool on Monday night.
Following Monday's eventful match, manager Eddie Howe spoke about the differences between the two halves: "First half, we thought we dominated the game. We were in a great place with just the goal missing. Second half, we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men, but I thought we controlled the game. I thought we were really good and fought our way back unbelievably well, but couldn't get over the line to get a point.”
After the game, one of the major talking points was Anthony Gordon's red card just before half-time. The forward was sent off for a late challenge on Virgil Van Dijk and now faces a three-game suspension. Gordon's absence has made the ongoing search for a new striker an even more pressing matter.
Indeed, the Magpies have been pushing ahead for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored two goals of his own on Tuesday night in a Carabao Cup win against West Ham.
Strand Larsen 2024-25 stats (timeless)
According to Keith Downie, Newcastle are "expected to make an increased offer worth around £60m" after seeing their first efforts rejected, but even at that price Wolves are insisting their Norwegian star is not for sale.
Newcastle may have to break club record to sign Jackson
With doubts persisting over the viability of a move for Strand Larsen, Newcastle United are considering a move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson before the transfer window closes on Monday. However, Chelsea currently value Jackson at €90m (£78m) after spending £32m on him two summers ago.
Sports Witness are reporting that Newcastle are not the only club interested in the Senegal forward, with Bayern Munich and Aston Villa also being important contenders in the race to sign the striker as Chelsea place a massive price tag on his head in the hopes of a bidding war.
nicolas-jackson-chelsea-spurs-premier-league
Jackson's agent, Diomansy Kamara, has also alluded to interest from various suitors and stated that a "decision is imminent".
None of the listed clubs are currently willing to meet Chelsea's asking price for Jackson; their current asking price would be a club record for both Newcastle and Villa, while Bayern are reported as preferring a loan move.
Chelsea are in favour of a permanent departure, but the interested parties are hoping that his price will drop as it gets closer to the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea have brought in a number of new forwards this summer, including Liam Delap and Joao Pedro and the London side doesn’t see Jackson in their future plans.
Newcastle has the easiest route to starting eleven for Jackson
While Jackson has a number of suitors and has already had negotiations over personal terms with Bayern Munich, Newcastle may be able to tempt him to a move to the northeast.
If Jackson were to move to Munich or Birmingham, he would have to fight for his place against a striker who has been well established at the club. At Villa, Ollie Watkins has been the club's main striker since 2020. At Bayern, he'll have to compete with Harry Kane, who has already scored seven goals in seven appearances this season.