Newcastle United have been linked with a move for PSG star Goncalo Ramos.placeholder image
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for PSG star Goncalo Ramos. | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United remain on the hunt for a striker after missing out on Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak has been arguably the biggest talking point of the summer transfer window and perhaps the epitome of how quickly a footballer can go from hero to zero with one particular fan base. Less than 150 days ago, Isak had written himself into Newcastle folklore. He netted the winner against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final; ending Newcastle’s 56-year-wait for a major trophy and a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy. Just two and half months ago, he was also seen celebrating with his teammates as the Magpies secured Champions League qualification for just the third time in the 21st century. It seemed like a dream end to a memorable season, with most optimistic supporters predicting that the striker would sign a new contract and follow in the footsteps of club icon Alan Shearer by inheriting the prestigious No.9 shirt.
However, since then Isak has made it clear that he wishes to explore his options away from St James’ Park. He reportedly turned down a new contract, missed Newcastle’s pre-season tour to Asia with a supposed thigh injury, and has not trained with his teammates since the build-up to a defeat to Celtic in a friendly at Parkhead. He trained privately at his former club Real Sociedad’s training facilities without Eddie Howe’s knowledge and appears to be doing everything to force a move to Liverpool after a reported bid of around £110m plus add-ons was rejected for the Swedish striker. As it stands, Newcastle’s stance remains clear that Isak is not for sale at any price, despite many outlets claiming that £150m could be enough to facilitate a deal.
Why Newcastle United need to sign a striker this summer
As it stands, William Osula is the only senior centre forward that has taken part in a full pre-season for Newcastle this summer. The club allowed former No.9 Callum Wilson to leave on a free transfer and have failed in attempts to land various targets including Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko with the pair opting to join Liverpool and Manchester United respectively rather than move to St James’ Park.
The club are believed to be working hard towards the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford. However, if Isak is to depart it’s likely Newcastle will need to sign two senior strikers to cope with the demands of a 50+ game season with Champions League football on the horizon. One name that could fit the bill as a potential target based on reports from Mail Sport is thought to be Champions League winner Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain.
Why Newcastle should look to target Goncalo Ramos
Goncalo Ramos, who recently turned 24, is the latest big-name striker to be linked with a move to Newcastle United and a star with the potential to hit the ground running in the Premier League. Ramos, who scored a hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland in the 2022 World Cup, rose to prominence at Benfica that same season when he scored 27 goals in 47 matches across all competitions.
He helped guide the capital side to a league title while also reaching the quarter-final of the Champions League that term and subsequently earned himself a blockbuster move to PSG on an initial loan deal which was eventually made permanent for around £69m. Ramos struggled for regular game time behind Kylian Mbappe in his first season but still managed a solid 14 goals in 40 matches as his side lifted a domestic treble. He’s since followed that up with 19 goals in 46 matches last term as his side became European champions for the first time in the club’s history.
The Portuguese striker has all the makings of a top striker but has at times struggled to slot into Luis Enrique’s system due his preference of playing with a trio of Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele, with Bradley Barcola also featuring heavily from the bench. It’s reported by Give Me Sport that PSG could cash in on the 24-year-old this summer, in a development which could suit Newcastle this summer. The outlet suspects the Magpies see his availability as a ‘golden opportunity’ to strengthen their frontline after a summer that has so far been overshadowed by transfer setbacks.
Ramos is quick, strong, can score all types of goals, and is approaching the prime years of his career. For the right price he could prove a masterstroke signing for Newcastle as they look to salvage their transfer window ahead of another thrilling adventure on the continent in the Champions League.
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