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Newcastle United remain in the market for a striker with Alexander Isak’s future still uncertain.
Newcastle travel to Aston Villa in their Premier League opener on Saturday, with Anthony Gordon set to be deployed as an emergency striker in Alexander Isak’s continued absence.
Isak is currently training alone after having his head turned by Liverpool. With Callum Wilson now at West Ham United and Will Osula struggling to grasp his opportunity in pre-season, Howe is set to turn to Gordon until a striker is signed.
Newcastle United offered Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic - reports
The Magpies have suffered several knockbacks in their search for a striker. Last week, they had a bid accepted by RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko but the Slovenian opted to join Manchester United instead.
Before that, Eddie Howe’s side chased moves for Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike but the pair opted to join Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively. Talks were also held with Liam Delap, though he too moved to Stamford Bridge.
Despite the rejections, United are continuing their search and according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport have been offered Serbian international Vlahovic - but there’s a huge catch.
The Italian media continue to dream of Sandro Tonali returning to Serie A, with the report stating that Juventus want to offer a cash sum for the midfielder plus Vlahovic and Douglas Luiz or Nicolo Savona.
Dream is the key word there, with there being absolutely zero chance of Newcastle allowing Tonali to depart.
Newcastle United unlikely to move for Dusan Vlahovic
What about Vlahovic in a separate deal? Well, it is understood Newcastle aren’t interested in the player and even if they were, his wages would likely be an issue.
Howe has admitted on a number of occasions this summer that Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) continue to restrict what the club can spend on wages and transfer fees.
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“Yes, I'd say financial, of course, plays a huge part,” Howe said last month. “I think anyone who doesn't think that's true is deluded.
“You know, finance is, I wouldn't say, is the number one for every player. That'd be wrong to put that on each and every player, every situation's different. But we can't, and we aren't, the biggest players in the league because we don't generate the most income.
“So we have to fall in line with PSR and we have to be very smart with what we do. And so we have to control the wages of the players that we have, and that all plays a part in who we can attract.”
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