Newcastle United backed to sign ‘next Luis Diaz’ after £82m development – pundit
Newcastle United must place all of their efforts into signing a new striker before the start of the season.
That’s according to former Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Magpies’ next transfer move.
Tuesday (28 June) Newcastle United announced they had agreed a deal in principle for the signing of Sven Botman, 22, in a deal Sky Sports claim is worth £35million.
He is Eddie Howe’s fifth defensive signing following the arrivals of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Nick Pope since he took the Toon job in November.
This means Newcastle have spent £82million on their defence since the Saudi-led takeover of the club.
McLeish insists Newcastle’s attention must now turn to bolstering their attack.
“Everybody is looking for that talisman goalscorer,” McLeish told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild
“Alex Ferguson always said you are only as good as your strikers. He had something like 22 international strikers during his time at Man United, maybe more.
“You think of all of those names, he had his defence organised and he had a good midfield but you need that talisman.
“To achieve things in football, you need players who are going to score 22 goals in a season.
“It’s whether you get them. There aren’t a lot of them about. Maybe Newcastle can unearth someone like Liverpool did with Luis Diaz.”
Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Dwight Gayle are Newcastle’s current striker options.
Wilson has struggled with injuries during his time on Tyneside while Chris Wood has failed to impress since his January move from Burnley.
In other news, Newcastle United’s owners have been hailed for ‘brilliant’ £82m development as deal agreed.