da dobrowin： Newcastle have been surprisingly busy in the transfer market this summer with six first-team signings, coming to an accumulative cost of £30million.
da esoccer bet： That summer 2014 cohort could soon be added to, with news that the Magpies are attempting a double-swoop of Nottingham Forest hotshots Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles.
But if there’s one notable gap in the Tyneside squad still remaining, it’s undoubtedly the absence of a dependable front-man.
Papiss Cisse found just two Premier League goals last season, Shola Ameobi is now a free agent and Loic Remy’s future remains to be seen.
With that in mind, here’s a list of SIX strikers – all reasonably priced and potentially available to Newcastle this summer – that would remedy the Magpies’ limited firepower.
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CONNOR WICKHAM
The latest striker-based Newcastle rumour to emerge in the tabloids is an audacious swoop for Sunderland starlet Connor Wickham, which would make him the second player to cross the Tyne-Wear divide this summer following the free signing of Jack Colback.
The 21 year-old’s Stadium of Light career hasn’t always been plain sailing following his £8million move from Ipswich in 2011, but he scored a vital five goals at the end of last season to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League, netting against Manchester City and Chelsea and providing an assist against Manchester United. This near-post finish particularly caught the eye:
Returns of 17 in 37 for England across the junior levels and 9 in 17 on loan to Sheffield Wednesday last term further back the 6 foot 3 forward’s goal-scoring credentials. Here’s the highlights from his short stay at Hillsborough:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LQbAai-wlLU?rel=0
Allegiances to the local rivals aside, Wickham would be a good signing for the Magpies, offering fire-power and longevity. Furthermore, with just a year left on his current contract, the Daily Mail believe the England U21 could be available for as little as £6million this summer.
But recent speculation suggests Newcastle will have to battle it out with West Ham for his signature:
LOIC REMY
A few weeks ago it appeared Newcastle’s chances of signing Loic Remy on a permanent basis were slim to none, as the Magpies loan star was linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal to name a few.
But last week, the France international failed a medical at Anfield, ruling him out of a Reds switch and likely deterring interest from other top Premier League suitors too.
But QPR boss Harry Redknapp disputes the claims:
And there’s no doubt the 27 year-old has the firepower to secure the Magpies another top half finish. Since arriving in England in January 2013, Remy has claimed 20 goals in 40 Premier League appearances – including 14 goals on loan to Newcastle last term, as shown in the video below…
//www.youtube.com/embed/-LGm9kkdQKk
And who can forget this wonder-strike for parent club QPR at the end of the 2012/13 campaign…
//www.youtube.com/embed/JC7oWD8N_vI?autoplay=1&loop=1&playlist= JC7oWD8N_vI
Recent speculation suggests the Tynesiders are prepared to pick up where Liverpool left off:
But price-tag remains an issue. Whilst Champions League football meant the former Marseille star was available to the Reds for just £8.5million through his release clause agreement, it’s believed Newcastle will have to pay closer to £12million.
TROY DEENEY
Having claimed 54 goals in his last 127 Championship appearances, Watford striker Troy Deeney has been knocking on the Premier League door for some time. Resultantly, a number of top flight clubs are linked with his signature this summer:
The 26 year-old bagged 24 goals last term, leaving him as the Championship’s third-top scorer, as seen below:
And who can forget this extraordinary sequence of events against Leicester at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, securing the Hornets a place in the second-tier Play-offs:
//www.youtube.com/embed/TPmZeHxWR58
This wonder strike against Charlton Athletic last season wasn’t too bad either…
As well as being a potent goal scorer, the former Walsall star comes with a powerful presence. He measures in at 6 foot, possesses that all-important, ever-clichéd ‘big bum’, and averaged 3.6 successful aerial duels per match last term.
It’s claimed the Hornets want around £8million for their star man, which could quickly prove to be a wise investment from the Magpies.
CARLOS BACCA
After a prolific first season in La Liga, Sevilla star Carlos Bacca – aka, Chewbacca – has been linked to a number of Premier League clubs this summer:
Newcastle are missing from that list, but the Colombia international appears a good fit for the English top flight, famed for his mixture of power, pace and netting prowess.
Indeed, his 21 goals across all competitions last season fired Sevilla to a fifth-place finish domestically and the Europa League title. Here’s a look at his highlights from last term:
//www.youtube.com/embed/r0mNRDaYo1U?rel=0
Bacca’s unorthodox style will excite the St. James’s faithful, but recent speculation suggests Inter Milan are poised to swoop for the £18million-rated striker:
SALOMON KALOU
Last month, it was believed former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou was on the verge of joining Roma, but the move is yet to materialise, allegedly due to the Ivory Coast international’s desire to return to the Premier League:
The 28 year-old was a rather mercurial figure at Stamford Bridge, netting just 60 times in 251 appearances for the Blues. This kind of attrotious finishing became common practice:
But Kalou has re-found his scoring touch since joining Lille in summer 2012, amassing an impressive 30 goals and ten assists in 66 Ligue 1 outings since. Here’s a look at his vitals from last term:
And his season highlights:
//www.youtube.com/embed/St2bX996COE?rel=0
Kalou’s Premier League experience and versatility in attack cannot be overlooked. Furthermore, it’s alleged he could be available for as little as £3million this summer.
But with Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal also linked, the Magpies will be fighting against the current for his signature:
SEYDOU DOUMBIA
CSKA Moscow forward Seydou Doumbia has been linked with a number of top Premier League clubs before, including Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, and last September was mooted as a prime target for Everton and Newcastle too:
That widespread interest from the English top flight is in no small part due to a sensational return of 74 goals in 110 appearances for the Russian capital outfit, as well as 57 in 78 at former club BSC Young Boys.
Here’s a look at all the retired Ivory Coast international’s strikes from last season – 20 across all competitions including two in the Champions League:
//www.youtube.com/embed/dFGzz5d-JQY?rel=0
Despite this well-documented interest in the 26 year-old however, and just a year left on his current contract, CSKA Moscow are yet to receive an offer for their star striker.
It gives Newcastle a fantastic opportunity to weigh in, but it’s alleged the Russian side value Doumbia between £15million-£30million.