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Fabrizio Romano believes 'for sure' that Newcastle United will address one position before the transfer window closes on September 1. The Magpies have had a frustrating window in terms of exits, losing key players in Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, but there have been plenty of incomings.
Aladji Bamba and Nico Gonzalez have been brought in to replace the two midfielders, while Bazoumana Traore is seen as the replacement for Gordon. There have also been signings elsewhere, like Sean Steur, and there could be more to come. Matthias Jaissle is likely to allow Nick Woltemade to leave the club, leaving William Osula and Yoane Wissa as the remaining options.
That means a replacement for Woltemade is likely to be found, perhaps to add a similar profile to that of the departing German to the ranks.
Speaking on GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said he expected Newcastle to sign a striker ahead of the fast-approaching deadline. He said:
Just who Newcastle will go for remains to be seen, with winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo the most heavily linked so far, but he is not a striker. Concerningly for the Magpies, the transfer window shuts on Tuesday night, so they may have left themselves with a lot to do ahead of the window closing.
The Athletic say the Magpies are flexible on what kind of attacker they are going to sign, meaning it could be a winger over a striker, but it's clear Jaissle does want a new attacker of some sort. Newcastle have the money to spend, but pulling off a deal within two three days is not an easy thing to do.
Newcastle's current attacking options:
Bazoumana Traore (left-wing)
Harvey Barnes (left-wing)
Anthony Elanga (right wing)
Jacob Murphy (right wing)
Nick Woltemade (striker)
William Osula (striker)
Yoane Wissa (striker)
Fernandez-Pardo wants out
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
What is clear is that reported Magpies target Fernandez-Pardo wants to leave current club Lille, with the club's manager, Davide Ancelotti having said: “I have decided, in consultation with the club, that he will no longer train with the squad until the end of the transfer window.
"I am focusing on the players who are available for (Friday’s Paris Saint-Germain) match and who are training with us.” Lille are said to have slapped a £60million asking price on the wideman this summer, but given it's clear the player wants out and is playing hardball, Newcastle may well feel as though they can push that price down.