Newcastle’s search for at least one striker is intensifying, with a late push expected to ensure Eddie Howe has options while Alexander Isak remains on strike.
Starting with who is now looking most likely to sign, Newcastle are stepping up their efforts to bring in Wolves’ Jorgen Stand Larsen, who is considered more of a Callum Wilson replacement; albeit an expensive one.
A move for Yoane Wissa had looked likely, but the Bees have stood by their lofty demands and insisted on signing a quality replacement first after a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest focused minds around the looming fear of relegation.
Reports in the Midlands suggest we are only £5m away from matching Wolves’ demands for Larsen, who is almost four years younger than Wissa, a big physical presence and a 6ft 4″ poacher who scored 14 goals last season.
Given Newcastle’s urgent need for strikers and the long wait for Wissa that’s shown no signs of ending this week after a £35m + £5m bid was rejected this week, Larsen is now the one to watch.
But who could be the second striker that may allow Isak to depart?
One player on Newcastle’s list but unlikely to sign is Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson. Eddie Howe has reservations, heightened by two stupid red cards over May and June, and it looks like Aston Villa are serious about signing the Senegalese striker.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Unai Emery has identified the 24-year-old as a ‘top target’, with the pair keen to work together again after their time at Villarreal in Spain.
A loan deal is being explored, which could work within their PSR constraints, but a permanent move for Jackson may lead to Ollie Watkins becoming available.
Should this be the case, a late domino effect that sees Jackson join Villa, Watkins arrive on Tyneside and Isak head to Liverpool may not be the maddest suggestion!
Newcastle would not overpay for Watkins, who turns 30 later this year, but signing him and the younger Larsen for just over £100m may not be a bad trade off if Liverpool also up their bid significantly for Alexander Isak.