Sport
6 strikers Newcastle could still target in January
Kieran Trippier became the first signing of the new era at Newcastle United with Burnley’s Chris Wood arriving a few days later but an embarrassing home defeat to League One side Cambridge United in the FA Cup showed there is a lot of work to do for Eddie Howe. With Callum Wilson ruled out for around two months by his latest injury, Newcastle’s need for reinforcements in attack remains despite the arrival of Wood. Newcastle have been linked with countless strikers in the last few weeks, so we have picked out six of the potential contenders to make the move to the north-east.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Martial has made it clear he wants to leave Old Trafford this month, so could a switch to St. James’ Park appeal as the France forward tries to get a stagnating career back on track? The 26-year-old may have set his sights higher than the relegation-threatened Magpies, but hopes of a dream move to Barcelona seem very unlikely to come to fruition for Martial.
Martial has only scored five goals in the last season and a half in the Premier League, so there are also doubts over whether he could be prolific enough to fire Newcastle to safety. He does usually play off the left wing, though, which could add pace and extra creativity to a Newcastle attack that has been struggling to create chances all season. Perhaps a loan move, with Newcastle paying most of Martial’s wages, could be a good switch.
Patrick Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Leverkusen reportedly value Schick at £50 million, so this would be a big deal for Newcastle in their quest for new strikers.
The Czech Republic international, who scored five goals for his country at Euro 2020, has continued that fine form into the current Bundesliga campaign. Schick has hit 17 goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances this term, with only Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski having been more prolific in Germany’s top division. As with Wood, Schick has been linked with Newcastle for an extended period, so could the January window be the time they finally land their man?
Ben Brereton Diaz (Blackburn Rovers)
Few strikers in the world are as hot as Brereton Diaz right now, with the Chile international the top scorer in the Championship having hit 20 goals to fire Rovers into the promotion picture and he is sure to be on the radar for Newcastle.
Brereton Diaz was little known a year or so ago, but a shock call up – he qualifies to play for Chile through his mother – has sent him into the stratosphere. The 22-year-old has become a cult hero in Chile, appearing at the Copa America last year and scoring an unforgettable winner in the group stage against Bolivia. His confidence has been sky high ever since.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Vlahovic has been linked to some of the biggest clubs in Europe, so it would be a statement of intent if Newcastle were able to persuade the giant Serb to swap Florence for a relegation fight.
The 21-year-old has already hit 16 Serie A goals for Fiorentina this season – nobody has scored more often in Italy’s top-flight even though La Viola are only sixth – and he is in high demand. Vlahovic has been linked with clubs including Tottenham and Arsenal and, with his contract set to expire in 2023, Fiorentina are likely to cash in on their prime asset sooner rather than later.
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
Howe took Solanke to Bournemouth in 2019 and, although the striker struggled initially to make an impact on the south coast, he has since thrived for the Cherries in the Championship.
After hitting 15 league goals last term, Solanke has been even better in 2021-22 with the 24-year-old scoring 18 times in the second tier to prompt links with a Premier League return. Would a link up with one of his former strikers appeal to Newcastle boss Eddie Howe?
Divock Origi (Liverpool)
Liverpool might be unwilling to sell Origi this month with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both away at AFCON, but regular football at Newcastle could be very appealing to the Belgian.
Origi has never hit double figures in league goals in a season though, so he is far from prolific.
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