Newcastle United's transfer business could go right down to the wire with at least one striker needed
Lee Ryder follows Newcastle United home and away as our Chief Newcastle United Writer. Lee has reported on the Magpies from China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and across Europe. Covered England at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
Alexander Sorloth, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Nicolas Jackson
Alexander Sorloth, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Nicolas Jackson
It's getting tense in the transfer market. Regardless of Alexander Isak's situation, Newcastle United need a new striker with the clock ticking down to the September 1 deadline.
Eddie Howe has admitted they are still working hard to replace Callum Wilson, having missed out on Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo.
"We're working hard on incomings," Howe admitted. "I wouldn't say we're close. We still have a bit of time but that will go very quickly.
"We're in a position where the squad is in a really good place. We're still looking to replace Callum Wilson, that's the big area we're working on."
The pool of available forwards who can improve the Magpies is getting slimmer and slimmer, however. It could be a case of going for whoever is available - but who should they plump for?
Our panel of writers have been given £60m to play Football Manager - and have given their verdicts. Let us know in the comments if you agree.
Sean McCormick
With the clock ticking for Newcastle to sign a striker before the transfer deadline slams shut on September 1, the Magpies need to sign a striker, any striker, regardless of Alexander Isak's situation.
United are yet to replace Callum Wilson after the forward's departure was confirmed last month and they not only need to sign someone who is good enough to lead the line in the absence of Isak but who also would be an adequate backup to the Swedish international if he does end up staying at St James' Park next month.
Of the available options to Newcastle right now, and the struggles they have faced prising Yoane Wissa from Brentford, Wolves forward Jorgen Stand Larsen best fits that bill.
The 25-year-old fits the physical profile Eddie Howe looks for in his forwards and he scored 14 Premier League goals last season in a struggling Wolves side.
That is two more goals than the highly sought after Liam Delap managed last term and four more than Joao Pedro, who Newcastle were willing to part with £60million for earlier this season.
Given he has just signed permanently for Wolves this summer, they may well drive a hard price for the Norway international.
But as Newcastle are still without a recognised centre-forward at this stage of the season, it may well be a price worth paying.
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Stuart Jamieson
With time running out, prices are just going to keep rising for striker targets as we approach deadline day. You can't blame clubs like Wolves for demanding a premium for the likes of Strand Larsen - but £60m is just under what Arsenal are paying for Eberechi Eze.
Newcastle may be better targeting players whose clubs actively want to sell them, and for me, you could do a lot worse than Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth.
Yes, it didn't work out for him at Crystal Palace in 2018, but he's gone on to prove he's an excellent frontman. Atletico are said to want £30m for the man who scored 24 goals last term. Feels like a risk worth taking.
Ross Gregory
The longer this situation goes on, the more I think Nicolas Jackson could be the answer. For starters, he's the only one of the suggested targets who appears available - but that's not the only reason.
The Senegal striker can blow hot and cold. He often looks like he's graduated from the Papiss Cisse School of Offside Runs and his temperament has notoriously let him down at times. He picked up 17 yellow cards in two years in the Premier League, only three of which were for fouls against the opposition. The rest were for other infractions such as dissent, arguing and time-wasting.
But he bagged 13 goals last season, including nine in the first 16 games, playing for a high-profile team. The season before he hit 17 in all competitions as a 22-year-old in his first year in English football. That's a decent return in two campaigns.
His relentless workrate and pressing were also a massive feature for Chelsea last season. His average of 25.5 sprints per 90 minutes was the third-highest in the Premier League and in Eddie Howe's high intensity style of play, it would be a good fit.
Jackson is still just 24, young enough to adapt his game, learn from his mistakes and improve his finishing under a coach of Howe's quality. If Newcastle can get him for around £55m, it would be a good deal.