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Newcastle United are looking to sign two strikers before the summer transfer window shuts on September 1.
Newcastle head into the remaining fortnight of the transfer window on the lookout for two strikers, with Alexander Isak hoping to follow Callum Wilson out of the St James’ Park exit door.
Wilson has joined West Ham United on a free transfer after his contract expired, while Isak has signalled his intention to move to Premier League champions Liverpool. But the Swede won’t be allowed to leave, unless two strikers are signed.
Newcastle United striker search has proven difficult
The Magpies have suffered several knockbacks in the striker market, having witnessed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro join Chelsea, Hugo Ekitike move to Liverpool and Benjamin Sesko head to Manchester United.
Eddie Howe’s side have been hopeful of signing Brentford forward Yoane Wissa, with the player desperate to make the move to Tyneside. However, a deal has been plunged into fresh doubt this week.
There was a belief that Brentford would sanction Wissa’s exit after securing a £42.5million club-record deal for Dango Ouattara from AFC Bournemouth, however that is looking increasingly unlikely.
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The Bees regard Ouattara as a replacement for Bryan Mbeumo, with talkSPORT reporting that Wissa won’t be allowed to depart until another attacker is found, or unless the Magpies table an offer in the region of £60m.
According to Sky Sports News, Wissa is livid at Brentford as he believes he was given assurances that he could leave this summer. On Tuesday, Wissa took the drastic move of unfollowing Brentford on Instagram and removing any reference to the club, including his profile picture, which is now just a black circle.
Although Wissa is viewed as a Wilson replacement, Newcastle’s failure to sign him would reduce their chances of signing two strikers and therefore prevent Isak from leaving.
Newcastle United interest in Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen
In addition to Wissa, The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims Newcastle retain a firm interest in Wolves’ Strand Larsen, who is said to be keen on the move following conversations between intermediaries. As it stands, discussions as yet to take place between the two clubs.
Strand Larsen scored 14 goals in the Premier League on loan at Wolves last season before completing a permanent £23m move from Celta Vigo this summer.
Asked about the pool of strikers left on the market, Howe said: “Yes, I think it's a very small field. The centre-forward market this year is as tight as I've ever known it really. Yes, we've been active for a few and for whatever reason they haven't happened, I can't deny that. But we're still actively looking and I still believe that there is someone there that can fit our requirements.”
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