Despite no new links to a forward, journalist Ross Gregory claims he will be shocked if Newcastle United do not bring in a new striker before the end of the transfer window.
The Magpies have been trying to freshen up their frontline this summer, but after missing out on Hugo Ekitike to PSG and with Armando Broja staying put for now, they look no closer to bringing in a new man than they did when the window started.
However, Gregory has claimed that despite no new links emerging recently, Newcastle will bring in a new striker before the end of the transfer window and insists their reported interest in James Maddison will not interrupt their pursuit.
Gregory told NUFC Matters: “Nothing particularly new on that front. They are still looking, they definitely want to bring another forward in. The Maddison deal, I don’t think will change that; they’ll still look to bring somebody who can act as support for Callum Wilson and Chris Wood.
“[Timo] Werner’s a really good shout because he can play through the middle and he can play wide as well. I haven’t heard any fresh names mentioned, if I’m being honest, but I think there’s definitely going to be scope between now and the end of the month [to do a deal].
“They’re confident in doing the business that they’re doing, they’ve got their list of targets – some of which we know because they do leak out, some of which we don’t know at the minute – but I’d be really shocked if a forward didn’t come in before the end of the window.”
TIF Thoughts on Gregory’s comments…
Despite having Premier League=proven strikers Callum Wilson and Chris Wood already in the squad, bringing in a new player to challenge them should be an essential mission for the club’s hierarchy this summer.
While Wilson and Wood are serviceable strikers, Wilson has faced numerous injury problems over the years and has struggled to play over 30 games a season for the last two campaigns, while Wood has not yet proven he is good enough to take Newcastle to that next level after scoring just five goals last season – with three of those coming for Burnley.
Losing out on the likes of Ekitike and potentially Broja will be a huge loss for the club, but with the resources Newcastle have and the shrewdness of their business so far under PIF, it would be surprising if they do not address the problem before the end of the window as Gregory suggests.
Will Newcastle get a striker this summer?Yes
No
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