Newcastle United frustratingly drew blanks across the entire 90 minutes away at Aston Villa on the Premier League's opening day.
The obvious question on everyone's minds post-match was whether the Magpies would have been so wasteful if Alexander Isak were leading the line, but the superstar Swede was notably absent, as he remains insistent on a summer switch away from St James' Park.
Alexander-Isak-Carabao-Cup-trophy
With the ex-Real Sociedad striker seemingly set on leaving, Eddie Howe and Co. will be desperate to land a striker in a similar vein to their potent number 14 before the transfer window slams shut, with plenty of targets popping on the Toon shortlist.
Newcastle given encouragement over striker deal
It's not exactly been a closely guarded secret this summer that the Magpies are in the market for an explosive, new centre-forward.
They could finally be about to land long-term target Yoane Wissa, with the Daily Mail's Craig Hope recently revealing that a deal could be wrapped up by next week for the 28-year-old to leave Brentford behind for pastures new on Tyneside.
Isak vs Wissa 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Isak vs Wissa 2024-25 stats (timeless)
While his 19 goals last season would make him a suitable Isak replacement, he isn't the only clinical attacker on Newcastle's shopping list.
Indeed, Hope has also revealed that the Isak-less Toon have been handed some "encouragement" over securing the services of Paris St. Germain hotshot Goncalo Ramos, who has also been reportedly looked at by the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa this window.
Hope said: "Goncalo Ramos, the PSG striker, is back on the agenda. He was and then he wasn’t, I was told last week that it’s not happening. Then I was told yesterday [Friday] that actually there’s a chance it might, Newcastle have been given some encouragement there.
"But again, I think that would be a really hard one to do. I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one for want of a better phrase. But they are looking, he is an option absolutely. I’ve had that confirmed, that’s why I put the story out there last night."
PSG forward Goncalo Ramos
PSG forward Goncalo Ramos
How Ramos possesses shades of Ekitike
It's still some way off from being near completion, but landing the Portuguese attacker could see the Magpies win a striker who possesses shades of Hugo Ekitike's clinical game.
Ekitike-Liverpool-Bournemouth-Premier-League
Amazingly, Ekitike was yet another striker Howe and Co. missed out on this summer, as Arne Slot's Reds ultimately won his signature over picking up Ramos.
The Magpies must be forlorn that the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker decided to uproot to Anfield over St James' Park, considering he already has two goals next to his name for the reigning top-flight champions, which included a fierce strike getting Liverpool up and running on the entertaining opening night of the campaign.
Any lingering disappointment surrounding the Frenchman choosing the luxuries of Liverpool over Newcastle would soon be forgotten about, however, if Ramos were to make the switch to Howe's men, with the 24-year-old a recognised goalscoring menace in Europe, much like Ekitike was before Merseyside came calling.
Already, Tottenham Hotspur are aware of his red-hot instincts in front of goal, with Ramos only needing 14 minutes of action against Thomas Frank's Spurs in the Super Cup final before delivering this sucker punch of a header to level proceedings at 2-2.
This has been a tale of his entire stay in Paris to date, with only 28 Ligue 1 starts coming his way across his last two seasons in the French capital.
However, that hasn't stopped him from going on to bag a mightily impressive 21 league goals across those limited opportunities.
Coincidentally, Ekitike also struggled for gametime during his own up-and-down stay at the Parc Des Princes, but slipped up in the goalscoring department with only four strikes registered.
Ramos career record vs Ekitike
Stat
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Trophies
Top goalscorer accolades
Sourced by Transfermarkt
The brand new £79m Reds signing, of course, fought back from this underwhelming stint in Paris, with a promising return of 26 goals from 64 games for Frankfurt winning him the lavish move.
However, when assessing the table above, the "outrageous" 24-year-old - as he's been lauded previously by scout Jacek Kulig for his unerring accuracy in front of goal - has actually had a far more glittering career path than his Anfield counterpart, with 50 more career strikes next to his name.
Ramos-Benfica-Man-United-Hojlund-Premier-League-transfer
Goncalo Ramos at Benfica
Therefore, the former Benfica marksman will be loving the prospect of having his own moment in the Premier League spotlight with Newcastle, as he potentially goes head-to-head with Ekitike in the demanding division.
Once hailed by Bruno Fernandes as having "all the qualities to play in the Premier League", the proof will soon be in the pudding if Ramos does make the move, as Newcastle's hunt for a fresh striker looks to go the distance.