· 11 August 2025, 11:30
**Newcastle United continue their search for a top-quality, young centre forward to take over from want-away striker Alexander Isak.**
Whether it's this summer or some point in the near future, Alexander Isak is definitely on his way out of Newcastle, and given his behaviour, it can't come soon enough for many fans.
However, Newcastle can't entertain the idea of letting Isak go without having a replacement through the door, and on that front, the Magpies are really struggling.
Eddie Howe has seen several strikers slip through his fingers already, but there are still a few out there. One name that popped up at the weekend looks set to be crossed out straight away.
Craig Hope doesn't see a move for Samu Agehowa happening
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Newcastle have been [linked with an interest in FC Porto's Samu Agehowa](https://nufcfeed.com/exciting-new-striker-target-linked-with-newcastle-united-but-magpies-could-have-to-for-out-70m-to-sign-him-1494713), but now Craig Hope has moved to rubbish those claims via his YouTube channel.
> “Newcastle and other Premier League clubs have reached out and made those informal enquiries as to his availability and what it would cost.“What I’m told is the number coming back to Newcastle, I think Aston Villa was mentioned as well, is around £80million.“On the back of that, I’m told that number would be prohibitive for Newcastle. They aren’t doing a deal at £80million.
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> “So that, right now, even though the question has been asked, Samu isn’t one who is necessarily on the list.”
Vangelis Pavlidis is another name mentioned over the weekend
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In fairness, Hope has never seemed convinced that there was any real interest from Newcastle in Samu, and it was all 'paper-generated talk.
Vangelis Pavlidis is a name that's on the list, and the [Greek international could be an option](https://nufcfeed.com/report-now-says-newcastle-united-are-looking-at-26-year-old-international-striker-with-87m-release-clause-1495064) for Eddie Howe, although Luke Edwards is sticking by his claims that Alexander Isak will not be sold, so we may not even move for a replacement yet.
However, if Isak is told to stay, that doesn't mean he'll be reintegrated into the first team. If he doesn't get his act together, he could just be left to rot for a year.