Eddie Howe already has two elite strikers at Newcastle United, but he wants another.
Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson are the Magpies’ go to guys for goals at St James’ Park, with both players boasting two goals so far this season.
The pair performed brilliantly during the previous campaign, and clearly got the best out of each other. Wilson got a career-best 18 Premier League goals, while Isak got 10 in his first ever season in England.
It looks like they are going to follow a similar trajectory this time out, with the 23-year-old Swede currently getting the nod over Wilson to start.
There is clearly a healthy level of competition between the duo, but they are Newcastle’s only two out-and-out senior strikers at the minute. And that is why Howe is reportedly considering adding a third forward to the mix.
Newcastle ‘considering’ young striker
As part of a Q&A on the Daily Mail’s website, Newcastle reporter Craig Hope has been asked if the club will make a bid for a top striker next summer due to Wilson’s age and previous injury problems.
He replied: “They have a big striker in Alexander Isak and, as for Wilson, Howe has found a way to manage his fitness. He has not been injured for more than six months now. Isak and Wilson as a pair of strikers IS working right now, albeit with one of them starting on the bench. They are two brilliant options to have. I think Wilson still has plenty of goals and games left in him at Newcastle. A younger striker, though, is a position they are considering, someone who can challenge Isak and Wilson whilst not arriving with a huge expectation of immediate game-time.”
Signing Callum Wilson’s future replacement would be wise
While Wilson does not need to be replaced right now, there will come a time when the £20million man is not the goalscoring force he is today.
And considering how expensive elite strikers can be (see the club record deal for Isak), it is wise of the club to look for someone young who can develop into a top centre forward.
However, even that will be easier said than done. Whoever does arrive will know that they are behind Wilson and Isak in the pecking order, which will mean that senior minutes are severely limited.
But whoever does come in will have a great opportunity to learn from two excellent goalscorers, and join a young squad that is really going to explode in the next few years.
Getting another striker certainly is not a priority, but it would at least be a wise decision in 2024.
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