Report: Newcastle plan to replace Chris Wood with new signing in 2023

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Chris Wood signed for Newcastle United in January 2022, but the Magpies are already planning to replace the striker next year.

That’s according to the Athletic, who state that the Toon owners will sign a younger forward in 2023 to take the New Zealander’s place.

Wood has fallen down the pecking order since his arrival at St James’ Park. He was one of PIF’s first signings, costing £25million from Burnley.

The Magpies quickly activated his release clause at the start of the year, bringing him in to replace the injured Callum Wilson.

While the goals didn’t flow, Wood led the line well. But he was second choice soon after the number nine’s return.

Now Wood is third choice, with Newcastle signing Alexander Isak during the summer transfer window. He cost a club record fee of £59million.

There was interest from elsewhere in Wood on deadline day, but the Magpies decided to keep him. That was the right decision, although he has since struggled for minutes.

Wood has been limited to just one Premier League start this season, and he might not receive many more in a black and white shirt.

Newcastle to replace Chris Wood with younger model

Newcastle’s reported plan to replace Wood with someone younger is a sign of the times on Tyneside. Everything is gearing up towards a bright future, with players arriving who can influence the club long term.

We have already seen one young forward arrive. Garang Kuol joined Newcastle last week, and he is an incredibly exciting talent.

But the Athletic’s report suggests that another attacker will be replacing Wood. Who that is remains to be seen, but they will likely have to settle for being third choice behind Wilson and Isak.

Perhaps the club will target someone who can also play out wide, with versatility likely leading to more minutes. That’s why Hugo Ekitike was wanted during the summer. However, he went to Paris Saint-Germain instead.

For Wood, he will know he was never a long term solution for Newcastle. He turns 31 in December, which makes him one of the Magpies’ oldest players.

While he was expensive at £25million, he certainly did a job last season. However, goals have been hard to come by. At the moment, he has three goals in all competitions in a Newcastle shirt.

Given that tally, it is easy to understand why the Magpies will target a replacement in 2023.