Newcastle United have pursued many strikers this summer and, so far at least, nothing has come off for them.
Indeed, Newcastle United wanted to sign a new forward even before the Alexander Isak saga unfolded for all the world to see.
With Callum Wilson having left the club upon the expiration of his contract earlier this summer, the Newcastle United squad is already weaker than it was last season in terms of strikers.
Yoane Wissa is a leading Newcastle transfer target but his potential move to St James’ Park is now in doubt after Brentford upped their asking price – as is their right.
Newcastle have also enquired about Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, though there has now been an unwelcome update on that too.
Rodrigo Muniz celebrates after scoring for Fulham against Brighton.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Rodrigo Muniz in talks over new Fulham contract
According to Miguel Delaney in The Independent’s LIVE blog for transfer updates, the Brazilian is set to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage.
The 23-year-old scored a late equaliser for the west London side against Brighton on Saturday and has also been linked with a move to Italian side Atalanta.
Muniz is out of contract next summer but now appears to be ready to stay with Marco Silva’s side long-term.
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“Rodrigo Muniz is set to sign a new contract at Fulham, reports Miguel Delaney,” read the blog post.
“The Brazilian striker, who scored the late equaliser at Brighton last weekend to earn the Cottagers a point, was linked with a move to Atalanta.
“But Muniz, after Fulham knocked back a £35m bid for the 23-year-old, is now set to remain at Craven Cottage for the foreseeable future.”
What Fulham have said about Rodrigo Muniz’s future
Speaking ahead of Fulham’s draw away at Brighton last week, manager Silva refused to be drawn on the speculation linking the forward with a move away.
“He knows what I think about him, how important he is for our club,” he said.
“We will decide what is best for the club and Rodrigo.”
Fulham statistics Rodrigo Muniz
Games 98
Goals 27
Assists 3
Game-winning goals 9
Rodrigo Muniz stats for Fulham
The Standard also claimed that the club were unlikely to sell Muniz unless they could source a replacement themselves, which feels like Newcastle’s thoughts on Isak.
Sadly for Newcastle, the Muniz deal now looks to be off the table. Quite where they go next remains to be seen but they need to get their act together.
Regardless of whether Isak comes back into the fold, Newcastle need a striker.