Newcastle’s striker search drags on, with Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Stand Larsen hitting the headlines in the last 48 hours.
The Wissa saga is a mess – much the same as Alexander Isak’s situation – and Stand Larsen won’t be easy to sign either, with Wolves already losing Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer.
But who else is on the market aside for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson? One Premier League option and two from Porto and PSG have also been heavily linked, but where do things stand?
[The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6559975/2025/08/19/transfer-latest-eberechi-eze-marc-guehi-arsenal-manchester-united-liverpool-tottenham-hotspur/) have issued an update on Newcastle’s striker search, explaining where things stand on a couple of targets; both domestic and overseas.
Starting with Aston Villa’s **Ollie Waktins**, it’s reported that Newcastle are unlikely to pursue the England international for two reasons.
Newcastle are reluctant to improve a rivals PSR issues even more – we’ve just spent £40m-plus on Jacob Ramsey – but are also unwilling to spend big on a player who turns 30 in a few months time.
Eddie Howe is thought to be a big fan of Watkins, it just seems like the wrong price at the wrong time, especially when he’d demand a big contract that could be a problem in a few years time.
European options are still being explored after we tried and failed to land Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, which has seen PSG’s **Goncalo Ramos** and **Samu Aghehowa** of Porto come into the mix. However, both deals also seem tricky.
The Athletic report that Ramos will only arrive if Isak leaves based on the price tag and wage demands he’d take up, while it’s still not clear if Newcastle believe he’s the right stylistic fit.
As for Samu, it’s believed a move for the 21-year-old has been discussed, but Porto’s asking price could price Newcastle out of a move given his lack of experience in Europe’s top leagues.
The Spaniard is valued at £80m, according to Craig Hope, and he’s also facing fitness tests after coming off in Porto’s 2-0 win on Monday night with an injury.