Eddie Howe needs a new striker, and it's proving to be difficult
Christopher Nkunku continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer
Christopher Nkunku continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer(Image: Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Eddie Howe needs a new goalscoring forward, and the club's pursuit of Brentford's Yoane Wissa is hitting a critical stage - and some fans in the Chronicle Live comments section are telling the club hierarchy to do whatever it takes to complete a transfer for a player who clearly wants to play on Tyneside.
With less than two weeks to go until the end of the transfer window, Newcastle must decide whether to stick or twist on 28 year-old Wissa. The forward has one year left on his contract and scored 19 goals in the Premier League last season, and Brentford are very reluctant to let another star player go - and certainly not for cheap while they hold an option to extend that contract.
For his part, Wissa appears to want the move, deleting any mention of Brentford from his Instagram profile, and he did not feature in the team's first game of the season. Newcastle are unwilling to pay more than £40million for him, while Brentford are reported to want something more like £60m.
Other options are available if the club decide to pivot away from Wissa for now - Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson are both available, for example. Newcastle would have to rival Bayern Munich for Nkunku, but the club are reportedly willing to challenge the German giants.
Some fans want to see one last push for Wissa. Reader Axepete says: "We should just pay the extra for Wissa. He is desperate to play for us. He will be highly motivated and he is an exceptional goal scorer.
"Nkunku is a decent player but injury prone and he goes missing in games when things aren't going his way. I honestly believe if we manage to sign Wissa, it will unlock the Isak sale and we can invest in another striker and another midfielder. The extra money is not as relevant as our desperate need to get a high quality striker in, with the extra game load on our still undermanned squad.
"We would be sucked into a relegation battle if we had to play the majority of a Champions League and Premiership season without a recognised goal scorer. It is imperative we get this deal done, in my opinion."
Commenter DM TOONY writes: "Come on PIF, pay the money for Wissa. Brentford are going to lose their 2 best players, we are offering less than what they want. All the other top players have been snapped up.
"Don't miss out on Wissa, he will make all the difference in all competitions this season."
N Shields Lad warns the selling club about potential consequences: "If his move is blocked, then he'll definitely leave on a free next year and the owner is biting his own nose to spite his face, and will lose finances they could earn through the sale."
Heegan83 says: "We need a goal scorer and this is the man. Of course Brentford have seen an opportunity to get a much higher price because they understand our predicament. But right now we can’t afford to go into a season without a goalscorer, or our season could be finished a lot earlier than we hoped!"
Others think it's time to move on, with NORTHSHIELDS writing: "60 million for Wissa? Having a laugh. That deal will never be done now."
Scottymc says: "Strand Larsen is surely the alternative if we can’t get Wissa. Isak should be made to stay! Next summer he can go on the club's terms."
Motivation writes: "Newcastle, through their own incompetence, are now being held to ransom when trying to sign players. They should walk away from that kind of negotiation. They are in desperate need of 2 strikers. They will have to come up with an answer, and then learn not to get into this position again."
Bumpa says: "I've repelled Jackson at all costs, but we need someone, and £50M prob is around a fair price. I'd take that punt. He may be a bit rough around the edges, but he's a striker and young."
Have your say! How should Newcastle approach the final two weeks of the transfer window? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.