Newcastle United need two strikers, with a Callum Wilson replacement essential and second addition required if Alexander Isak is to depart in the next three weeks.
Yoane Wissa is edging closer to a £35m move, but who will be the other name to arrive should the Isak saga reach the conclusion he is clearly pushing for?
Alongside Nicolas Jackson, who is under consideration and ‘on the list’ as a £50-60m option, three names are also being explored in Samu Aghehowa, Rodrigo Muniz and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Following confirmation from David Ornstein on Friday that Newcastle are keen on Porto’s Samu, The Mail’s Craig Hope offered an update from St James’ Park after yesterday’s game.
He revealed that Newcastle have made informal contact over a potential move to Tyneside, gauging the terms of any deal. That enquiry came back with an £80m price tag, which is “prohibitive” to any deal. That price must come down for Newcastle to sign the 21-year-old Spanish international.
In another piece for The Mail, Hope has also revealed that an enquiry for Fulham’s Muniz came back with a £40m asking price and wages of £125,000-per-week after informal conversations took place last month.
The Brazilian’s profile makes him a tempting option, with the 24-year-old blessed with real power and finishing ability, making him a player with the raw tools to take his game to another level under Eddie Howe.
Then to the ‘dark horse’, as the North East reporter continues to suggest Wolves’ Strand Larsen as a potential one to watch, with the Norwegian ‘higher up the list’ than most mentioned in the media.
Hope states that Newcastle’s recruitment team have been very impressed by the 6ft 4″ striker, who managed 14 goals and four assists in a struggling Wolves side last season.
However, with the Midlands side already losing Cunha and Ait-Nouri this summer, they are in no rush to sell and value the striker at £65m. Much like Samu, that would almost certainly be beyond what Newcastle are willing to pay.