Newcastle United transfer latest as Magpies seek new striker
Victor Osimhen(Image: Abu Adem Muhammed/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Newcastle United should consider one of Europe’s most prolific frontmen when they look to rebuild their strikeforce next season.
The Magpies have struggled for goals this term after losing Alexander Isak in the summer. Replacements Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have failed to impress in front of goal for the majority of the campaign, with William Osula and Anthony Gordon also used in central roles.
Despite spending £124m on Wissa and Woltemade, it has become apparent that United will need to enter the transfer market again this summer to sign another striker.
While top-class forwards are hard to come by – Newcastle missed out on Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Mattheus Cunha, Liam Delap and Benjamin Sesko a year ago – pundit Ally McCoist believes there is still one who should be targeted – Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian international has been on Newcastle’s radar before while he was at Napoli, but a hefty price tag and wage demands, plus issues with the Italian side, meant a move to the Premier League never happened. Instead, Osimhen joined Turkish outfit Galatasaray on loan before completing a £65m permanent switch last summer.
“Victor Osimhen would be a brilliant signing for Newcastle,” McCoist told talkSPORT BET Casino.
“He would have been an even better one two or three years ago. I think a couple of years ago he could have walked into any team on the planet. A couple of years at Napoli and then whether he was at Galatasaray and he kind of drifted.”He came out of that period rather. I thought he was firing then, I really did. I thought he was arguably one of the best, if not the best, No 9 in Europe at that particular time. He was aggressive, he was scoring goals, he looked unplayable.
“So he’s certainly a player that Newcastle fans would love as well. He’s their kind of centre forward, you know what I mean? He’s aggressive, he’s powerful, he’s big, he’s like Alan Shearer, he’s that type, you know.”
It will be a big summer for Newcastle and Eddie Howe, should the club still believe he is the right man for the job. After a dismal 2026, in particular the last two months, the Magpies are stumbling towards the finishing line.
There is a split among the fanbase as to where the blame lies, with shade being thrown on Howe, the players and the ownership at times.
McCoist admits the end of the campaign can’t come quickly enough for United and believes that missing out on Europe this season will actually benefit them in the long run.
“There’s no getting away from it, there is a negativity about Newcastle at this moment in time,” he added. “They look like a team where, although you don’t want to wish the season away, the end of the season probably can’t come quick enough for them.
“It will give everybody a break, allow them to regroup, maybe get a few new players in, and change things around a little bit.”On the flip side, I think no European football next year will actually help them in the league because they can strengthen the squad and just concentrate on the domestic scene.”
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