Newcastle United still have hope of hijacking West Ham move for ‘superstar’

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Oddly enough, Newcastle United may need a new striker this summer.  

While Alexander Isak is the main man at Newcastle United, the options behind him won’t exactly fill supporters with confidence.  

Callum Wilson is out of contract at Newcastle this summer and a decision is yet to have been made on his future. 

While Newcastle value Will Osula’s potential, to rely on a relatively untested 21-year-old as Isak’s back-up next season would be a major risk. 

With that in mind, plenty of names have been linked with a move. Newcastle are interested in Liam Delap, although competition to sign the Ipswich forward could well be fierce. 

Lille’s Jonathan David has also been touted as a target ahead of his contract expiring with the French club this summer.  

Newcastle want to sign David, hoping their work in turning Isak into one of the best forwards around right now is enough to convince other targets of a potential move to St James’ Park.  

Speaking to The Athletic in 2024, the striker’s Canada teammate Jonathan Osorio described David as a “superstar”. 

However, it is another Premier League club who are reportedly leading the chase.  

• READ MORE: All of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United signings, ranked

West Ham leading Jonathan David transfer race

According to The Daily Mail, West Ham are leading the race in terms of the English contingent keen on the forward. 

Chelsea are also said to be keen on the 25-year-old, though the Hammers are said to be in pole position right now – at least within the clutch of Premier League clubs looking to sign him.

Still, the report also adds that West Ham’s pursuit is not helped by the fact they cannot offer David the chance to play European football next season.

Newcastle have already qualified for the Conference League and are now in a strong position to claim a Champions League berth instead, of course, so perhaps they still have hope.

Jonathan David salary demands amid Newcastle United interest

The prospect of signing an international forward who has scored goals in the Champions League on a free transfer is naturally tempting.

Still, just because the striker would theoretically arrive for free does not mean he’d come cheaply.

David is reportedly looking for a salary worth around £5million a year, which equates to around £96k-per-week.  

Bruno Guimaraes is currently Newcastle’s highest-paid player on £160k-per-week but that kind of salary for David could take him above the likes of Sven Botman.