Just who will be leading the line for Newcastle United next season?
That’s the question on every Toon fan’s lips at the moment, as the last week of news has derailed the pre-season in a way that few could have possibly imagined.
With Alexander Isak’s future uncertain and moves for Benjamin Sesko and Yoane Wissa up in the air, another two striker targets have emerged in a new report this afternoon…
The Mail’s Craig Hope states that the club have identified new striker options should Alexander Isak depart, with two Premier League targets emerging alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brentord’s Yoane Wissa.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is thought to be one of them. The 24-year-old striker, whose sending off against us inadvertently helped us qualify for the Champions League, will likely be seen as surplus to requirements at the club after recent moves for Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
Hope reports that, alongside Sesko, Wissa and Jackson, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is also on what appears to be a four-man shortlist at present, with two strikers wanted.
Coming off the back of another solid season under Unai Emery, he will be wanting to give himself the best possible opportunity of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s World Cup.
However, at 29, how much would Newcastle be willing to pay for Watkins? Price may be an issue if we’ve so far refused to go beyond £35m for a 28-year-old Wissa.
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, it was reported that Brentford had no desire to sell Yoane Wissa unless Newcastle upper their bids significantly, which has caused quite the stir in West London.
With the Congolese forward not threatening to boycott playing for the Bees, Hope comments that there is still a chance a deal could be struck between ourselves and Brentford.
And as for Benjamin Sesko, the big Slovenian was absent for RB Leipzig during their recent friendly against Toulouse, though the German’s sides plans to sell Andre Silva and Timo Werner cast doubt over their need to sell Sesko this summer.
But according to this new report, progress has actually been made, with an enquiry submitted from Newcastle to Leipzig about the availability of the player.
We’re running a risky game at the moment with our targets, none of whom are even close to guaranteed, but when backed in a corner, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United often manage to get it done and get it done right.