Newcastle United are now cooling the club’s interest in signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin over Everton’s asking price for a summer switch, so here are five alternative strikers Eddie Howe should look to buy.
The Magpies boss is eager to strengthen his options at centre-forward during the off-season to take some of the goalscoring burden away from Callum Wilson. He rounded the 2021/22 Premier League campaign off with a brace at Burnley to reach eight goals ahead of Allan Saint-Maximin’s haul of five.
Bruno Guimaraes also enjoyed scoring five goals across his 17 appearances – one fewer than Wilson made – after joining from Lyon. Howe spent £35m, plus a further £6.5m in add-ons, for the Brazilian midfielder in the January sales, and is now keen to keep spending at a respectable level this summer.
Newcastle cooling interest in Calvert-Lewin over Everton’s asking price
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are cooling the club’s interest in signing Calvert-Lewin as Everton are demanding £60m to sell. Howe has a budget of around £80m to £100m to spend over the off-season, while Toon chiefs are again adamant they will not a premium to sign any possible target.
So, any move for Calvert-Lewin to head to St James’ Park is now extremely unlikely. As is a return for Ivan Toney, with Brentford seeking more than £50m for the former Magpies prospect after the 26-year-old scored 12 goals and created five over his 33 appearances in the Premier League this season.
Calvert-Lewin only scored five goals and assisted two over his 17 top-flight outings this term having suffered with frequent injuries. The 11-cap England striker suffered a quadriceps injury at the start of September that he did not recover from until January before developing a similar issue during April.
Newcastle will only revive the club’s interest in Calvert-Lewin if Everton lower their asking price for the 25-year-old. So, as it is unlikely the Toffees accept a significant reduction to their valuation, here are five alternative centre-forwards who would now merit a place on Howe’s radar during the summer…
Newcastle could explore interest in Lille ace David as Calvert-Lewin alternative
Howe may have an alternative to Calvert-Lewin on Newcastle’s radar already in LOSC Lille forward Jonathan David. Calciomercato cited the Toon, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Inter as potential suitors for the Canadian in February, and Fabrizio Romano claims Les Dogues will cash in.
Lille have set a €50m (£43m) asking price on David as they prepare to offload some of their top stars this summer. The Ligue 1 outfit believe the 22-year-old merits the fee after scoring 19 goals from 48 appearances this season as the Stade Pierre Mauroy natives’ quick and technically strong figurehead.
Aston Villa could provide the answer with Gerrard ready to sell Watkins
Aston Villa could provide the answer to Howe’s search for a new centre-forward with Steven Gerrard ready to sell Ollie Watkins. The Daily Mail report the Villans boss is prepared to cash in amid interest from West Ham if his side makes a substantial profit on the £33m they paid Brentford back in 2020.
Watkins will offer Howe the homegrown status a swoop for Calvert-Lewin would also provide when naming his 25-man Premier League squad. The seven-cap England forward is also a versatile threat with an ability to play out on the left and through the centre, whilst scoring nine goals this season.
Chelsea listening to offers for Timo Werner after previous Newcastle links
Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for Timo Werner this summer, per The Guardian, which could see Howe revive Newcastle’s interest in the German. Bild journalist Christian Falk noted back in October that the centre-forward – who shares an agent with Fabian Schar – featured on the Magpies’ radar.
Werner has struggled to settle since moving to Stamford Bridge from RB Leipzig for £45m in 2020. The 26-year-old scored just four Premier League goals from 21 appearances this term, with 11 in all competitions. But Werner has a proven ability as a dynamic forward, just he needs a new beginning.
Newcastle could edge Arsenal to Sassuolo swoop for Scamacca
Newcastle could still show the club’s pulling ability in the summer transfer market, despite Howe’s restricted budget, by edging Arsenal to a swoop for Sassuolo striker Scamacca. Gazzetta dello Sport report the Gunners have bid €40m (£35m) for the Italy star, but the Neroverdi want €50m (£43m).
Scamacca has a host of suitors lining up at his door after scoring 16 goals over 36 Serie A games this season. His haul includes netting against Scudetto winners AC Milan, plus Napoli and Inter Milan, to warrant the 6 ft 4 ace earning the first of his senior Italy caps under Roberto Mancini in September.
Kalajdzic set to leave Stuttgart this summer with a host of admirers
Sasa Kalajdzic is set to leave Stuttgart this summer with a host of admirers considering moves for the Austrian. Bild report Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund head the queue of German teams keen on the 24-year-old, who also has a number of English fans with Die Roten only seeking €25m (£22m).
Borussia Dortmund intend to intensify talks with Kalajdzic’s agent over replacing Erling Haaland once the striker returns from his vacation on June 20. They also hold an advantage over Bayern Munich as he would only be second-choice at the Allianz Arena if Der FCB do indeed keep Robert Lewandowski.
Both Bundesliga powerhouses like Kalajdzic as the 6 ft 6 marksman scored six goals and assisted two over 15 German top-flight games this term. He offered each goal involvement after returning from a long-term shoulder injury in January, including netting at the Allianz and against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Given Howe’s budget has forced Newcastle to cool the club’s interest in signing Calvert-Lewin from Everton this year, the St James’ hierarchy may be wise to throw their hat into the ring for Kalajdzic.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
