There is a feeling that Newcastle United can do better than Nicolas Jackson as they search for an Alexander Isak replacement.
The Magpies are aiming to sign a new starting striker, with Alexander Isak wanting to leave.
The plan was for Benjamin Sesko to take the 25-year-old’s place, but that will not be possible. Sesko is joining Man United, as Eddie Howe takes his business elsewhere.
Newcastle are interested in Nicolas Jackson now, with Chelsea prepared to let the Senegal international leave Stamford Bridge. However, a lot of onlookers are unsure if he is up to the task of being Isak’s replacement.
Former Toon goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has questioned Newcastle’s Jackson interest, insisting that there are better options out there.
That view is shared by ex-player and Newcastle United fan Don Hutchison, who has suggested an alternative.
Don Hutchison doing punditry for the 2023 UEFA Conference League final.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Newcastle United told to buy Inter Milan superstar, not Nicolas Jackson
The fact that Man United are paying £74million for Sesko and Chelsea want £80million for Jackson prove just how intense the striker market is this summer.
Therefore, Hutchison believes that Newcastle United should actually spend a little bit more cash and go all out to sign an even better striker.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
The player in question? Argentina international and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez.
Hutchison wrote on X: “Nicolas Jackson + Sesko valued at about 80million!!!!! I’d rather lob in another 20 and go b**** out for Lautaro Martinez.”
The numbers that prove Lautaro Martinez is ‘world class’
The idea of signing Martinez from Inter Milan is pure fantasy, but it would be a blockbuster way to replace Isak. You would struggle to find many Toon fans complaining if that happened.
The 27-year-old is an elite striker, having fired in a relentless number of goals since becoming an Inter Milan player in 2018.
In total, he has scored 153 goals in 335 appearances for the Italian giants. For the past four seasons, he has netted more than 20 goals in all competitions.
His record speaks for itself, with Alessandro Altobelli describing Martinez as a ‘world class player’ and tipping him to potentially win the Ballon d’Or during an interview with TNT Sports in March 2025. Altobelli is in a great position to provide that verdict, sitting as Inter’s second-highest scorer ever with 209 goals in black and blue.
As a comparison, Jackson has got 51 goals in 173 career appearances. Whereas Martinez has got 180 goals in 397 career appearances. The only caveat is that Martinez does have age on his side, being four years older than Jackson as he prepares to turn 28 on 22nd August.
If Newcastle United want to make a statement of intent in the wake of Isak’s desire to leave, they should follow Hutchison’s advice and move for Martinez over Jackson.
However, the most likely way you will see Martinez at St James’ Park this season is if Newcastle United are drawn against Inter Milan in the Champions League.