Newcastle now want to sign £97.5m striker who Alan Shearer says doesn’t want to work hard

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Newcastle United could be on the hunt for a new forward sooner rather than later.

While Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson are both prolific strikers when fit, neither are without their injury problems.

Anthony Gordon has stepped up this season and Harvey Barnes could offer more attacking support when he returns from injury but Newcastle could do with reinforcement.

Indeed, the signing of a new forward is believed to be on the agenda ahead of the January transfer window too.

It has been something club legend Alan Shearer has called for but perhaps he would not be on board with the most recent name to have emerged as a target.

Newcastle transfer news: Romelu Lukaku latest

That’s because, according to Belgian outlet Voetbalkrant, Romelu Lukaku is on the club’s radar.

The report suggests those at St James’ Park view the 30-year-old as an “ideal” player to lead their attacking line.

Currently on loan at Roma, the Belgium international has found form again, scoring nine goals and registering one assist in 15 games thus far.

Shearer has previously criticised the forward, telling BBC Sport (relayed by The Mirror) in 2022: “He’s not the type of guy that wants to press and work hard like Chelsea want to play.

“I get the impression that he wasn’t the player that the manager perhaps wanted. I’ve looked at Chelsea a few times when has played, and certainly there has been a reluctance to put the ball into the box.”

Romelu Lukaku transfer news: Chelsea’s price tag

According to the Evening Standard, parent club Chelsea are looking for around £37m for a player they spent £97.5m on in the summer of 2021.

While that is reasonably cheap for someone with a track record of scoring goals wherever he goes, it’s hard to see how Lukaku fits in with the Newcastle project.

They have not signed many ready-made superstars already over the age of 30 and on high wages since the takeover. There has instead been a focus on bringing younger players to the club, something Lukaku doesn’t really fit into.