Newcastle must shortlist Belgium star after his display vs USA
Newcastle should be accelerating a move to sign Atalanta striker Charles De Ketelaere after he shone for Belgium at the World Cup.
It is no secret that Newcastle are looking to bolster their attacking ranks this summer after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
The Magpies struggled up front as neither Nick Woltemade nor Yoane Wissa could nail down a place in the starting eleven throughout the season.
Will Osula ended the season as Eddie Howe's first-choice striker, but he is in the market for a new centre-forward as Wissa is mooted to depart.
De Ketelaere would clearly be a shrewd signing to bolster their ranks after his expert attacking display in Belgium's 4-1 win against the United States in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
He bagged a brace to fire Rudi Garcia's side to a quarter-final showdown against Spain later this week.
De Ketelaere has been linked away from Atalanta in the last few months, and Newcastle must join the race for his services with all things considered.
Newcastle should be in for Charles De Ketelaere after World Cup showing
De Ketelaere has proven himself as a solid striker in a top five European league during his time at Atalanta.
He began his career as a highly rated prospect at Club Brugge, but struggled at AC Milan after a big-money move in 2022.
The 25-year-old registered 27 goals and 23 assists in his first 100 Atalanta appearances over two seasons, then notched 12 goal contributions in 42 games last term.
He was handed his fourth start of the World Cup in Seattle against the co-hosts, and produced one of the performances of the tournament with two goals and an assist in Belgium's 4-1 win.
De Ketelaere pounced on a fine Nico Raskin pass to open the scoring in the ninth minute, then scored a well-taken header before the break too.
He also created the most chances of any player, with three, and set Hans Vanaken up to score their third by winning the ball back in a dangerous area.
His performance had everything that Newcastle lacked in attack last season, and their scouts must be keen on a move this summer as they search for a new striker signing.
Which strikers have Newcastle been linked to this summer?
Newcastle are open to selling Wissa, while Woltemade is set to be a regular in attacking midfield next season.
It is clear that a new striker is on Howe's agenda to compete with Osula, after sources told Football Insider that Newcastle could move for Folarin Balogun after he impressed at the World Cup.
De Ketelaere made a much bigger impression on the same pitch as Balogun on Tuesday morning, though, so their scouts will surely have taken notice of his performance.
Dusan Vlahovic, Liam Delap and Darwin Nunez are among other reported targets for the Magpies, so it is clear that the Belgian star fits the right profile of tall and strong that Howe is after this summer.