Journalist Craig Hope has revealed he’s heard that Newcastle are potentially eyeing another striker in January.
The Magpies spent a club record £63m in the most recent transfer window to bring in Alexander Isak, but it appears that they are hoping to add more firepower up top this winter.
Isak has been struggling with injury and is in a race against time to be fit for the season’s resumption.
Talisman Callum Wilson has been persistently hampered by fitness issues throughout his career, while third-choice centre-forward Chris Wood has been linked with a move to Leeds United.
With uncertainty surrounding the position, speaking on the True Faith podcast, Hope has now said: “This was mentioned to me today – I wouldn’t be surprised if a striker as well was on the agenda as a third option for a long-term replacement for that spot Chris Wood currently occupies.
“Now, the position Newcastle are in, you wouldn’t want them to go out and sign another Chris Wood-type. It would have to be someone who is as good as, if not better than Callum Wilson – and Alexander Isak, otherwise what’s the point? You know, Kevin Keegan’s old adage, ‘buy better’.
“So that was really interesting because I would have thought January wasn’t really a month for a striker. That conversation I had today also raises one or two further little concerns and question marks around Alexander Isak.”
TIF Thoughts on Hope’s comments…
Should Newcastle sell Chris Wood in January?
Yes!
No!
Despite ChronicleLive playing down reports linking Wood with a St James’ Park exit, we feel that the Tynesiders would be as well to cut their losses on the striker.
He signed for £25m from Burnley just last January but has scored only four goals in 33 games for the club.
His departure could help fund a move for a more mobile attacker to arrive in the north-east, but it will be interesting to see if the New Zealander is still in black and white come February.