Eddie Howe has made it clear that Newcastle United are not finished in the transfer market this summer.
Newcastle United need to sign a striker, regardless of whether Alexander Isak stays or goes.
The Magpies are still trying to replace Callum Wilson, with Yoane Wissa close to joining.
The situation will change again if Isak leaves. He wants to join Liverpool, who are yet to make a second offer for the 25-year-old.
Isak will only leave Newcastle United if a suitable offer comes in and a viable replacement is identified. One of those conditions will be more difficult than the other, as Eddie Howe has alluded to.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Eddie Howe addresses Newcastle United’s striker search
Ahead of Newcastle facing Aston Villa, Howe has spoken to the media.
He addressed the club’s quest to sign a striker, explaining that there is only a ‘small field’ of players that can be considered.
“We are looking to sign a striker and the best one we can,” he said, as reported by the Chronicle.
“It’s a very small field, though. Irrespective of Isak’s situation, we need to sign a striker.”
There are not many players who Newcastle United can replace Alexander Isak with
As Howe states, he is not talking about signing an Isak replacement. However, the general point he makes about trying to buy a striker rings true when it comes to finding an alternative to the Swede.
In Isak, Newcastle are trying to replace one of the best strikers in the world. That is the reality of the situation.
Newcastle could take a punt on someone, but that is a risk as they return to the Champions League. Newcastle need someone who is readymade to fill Isak’s boots, which is why there are reservations about buying Nicolas Jackson.
The situation is complicated by the strikers that have already moved. Newcastle tried to secure Isak’s replacement, bidding for Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko.
They all moved elsewhere, making the small field of striker options even smaller. That is why it is likely that Isak stays at Newcastle, as a replacement might simply be beyond them.
That is bad news for Liverpool and Isak, who are eager to link up. It is also bad news for Newcastle, who would ideally like to wash their hands of a toxic presence that no longer wants to wear black and white.
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