Exclusive: Newcastle’s priority summer signing revealed, recruitment team and data analysts are convinced
Newcastle United are prioritising the signing of a prolific goalscorer in the summer transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The Magpies are looking to sell Nick Woltemade already after signing him last year, and they are intent on landing a player who can transform their fortunes in front of goal.
Eddie Howe and the club’s recruitment team are hoping to sign a striker in the style of Alexander Isak, who is deadly in the box and can add a greater clinical dimension to the team.
The Tynesiders’ goal conversion metrics are among the worst in the Premier League this season, and Woltemade is their highest scoring forward with just seven league goals so far this term.
The damning numbers behind Newcastle’s struggles in front of goal
Newcastle fans have begun to get frustrated with Woltemade as he finds himself in the middle of a run of 13 games without a goal, and Yoane Wissa has also endured difficulties since he returned from injury.
The £55million buy from Brentford has managed just one league goal for his new club in his 11 appearances since he came into the fold in December, while wingers Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga currently have just five league goal contributions between them.
Harvey Barnes has carried slightly more of a goalscoring threat than his counterparts, but only five of his 12 strikes have come in the Premier League in 2025-26.
Howe’s side have struggled to bury their chances in front of goal all season, and their current conversion rate of eight per cent is better than just seven other top-flight teams, according to Transfermarkt.
Newcastle have also squandered 44 big chances throughout the league campaign, a tally which is only lower than that of four other clubs at present, as per Sofascore.
It’s an issue that has plagued them throughout the season so far, and they are already making plans to ensure that it is rectified ahead of the next campaign.
Sandro Tonali to force Newcastle into sale
Football Insider revealed last weekend that Sandro Tonali may demand a move away from Newcastle this summer if the team do not qualify for the Champions League.
The Italian was subject to interest from Juventus throughout the January transfer window, and was even at the centre of a shock last-minute approach from Arsenal on deadline day.
Tonali has a strong desire to test himself at the highest possible level, and with Newcastle currently 11 points adrift of the top four, Champions League football looks a distant possibility for next term.
Interest is expected to mount in the midfielder as the end of the season draws closer, and Newcastle could be about to face a similar situation to the one that played out with Isak if the right club come forward.