Newcastle's transfer ambitions can see them target Europe's best strikers

Updated: 11 Jun 2022 19:15 BST
4 min read

Gianluca Scamacca, Sassuolo, 2021-22 — © ProShots

Newcastle are prioritising a striker this window as they look to overhaul their attack and make a real go at European football next season.

With Callum Wilson’s persistent injury problems and Chris Wood’s lack of goals last campaign, the Magpies are in desperate need of some decent firepower up-front.

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Hugo Ekitike, currently at Reims, is reportedly on the horizon as the club’s first buy - but given the fact Eddie Howe may use the attacker on the wing of a 433, and that the Frenchman is just 19, Newcastle will undoubtedly look to other options as well.

Here are five possibilities for the club.

Lois Openda

Loïs Openda has had an astounding season in the Eredivisie at Vitesse. Coming second in the top scorer charts to Ajax's Sebastien Haller, the striker netted 19 times in the league while on loan to the Dutch club.

Indeed, the 22-year-old is currently registered with Club Brugge. But given his guile in front of goal and fine form, top European sides will be keeping an eye on the player.

Openda would represent a cheaper option for Eddie Howe - but is a good single-season enough to convince the manager to take a shot on the young Belgian?

Gianluca Scamacca

The Italian striker enjoyed a breakout campaign in Serie A, scoring 16 goals across the season. The towering Sassuolo player has been linked with a move away this summer window - and it’s no wonder why.

His 0.63 goals per-90 minutes puts him in the top 93 percentile. The forward man has a superb ariel presence, too, making him the ideal target man.

If they are interested, Newcastle will face a fight to nail down the striker, however, as Scamacca has been linked with a vast number of different clubs across Europe, including Arsenal.

Jonathan David

There are still question marks around the Canadian attacker’s ability in front of goal but his talent is obvious. The 22-year-old found the back of the net 19 times in total last season - 15 of those goals came in Ligue 1 and that was over a period of 38 matches.

The most remarkable aspect of his game is his off-the-ball work-rate. He is relentless in chasing possession and closing down opposition; a pressing master.

The element of risk he carries is in his lack of goals. The translation from the French league to the Premier League has proved tricky for some players.

Sasa Kalajdzic

The tallest man in the Bundesliga has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund this summer - but there are other clubs knocking on his door.

The Stuttgart forward found the net 24 times in 57 outings for the German side.

At 24 years old, Kalajdzic has room to develop even further. It’s quite obvious where his talents lie. Some 6.04 aerial duals won per-90 minutes - but what’s less obvious is his xA average of 0.26 per-90 - a figure that puts him in the top 96 percentile - and also his pressures in the attacking third, which comes in at 9.95 per-90.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

The Everton striker has had an injury-prone campaign and that has likely given Newcastle some concerns. He fits the bill in many respects: young, Premier League proven, a knack for goal. But his fitness level might see Magpies look elsewhere on the market.