Newcastle’s three new striker targets assessed following Benjamin Sesko decision
Newcastle United are set for more heartbreak this summer following Benjamin Sesko’s latest decision.
The Magpies have already missed out on the likes of Hugo Ekitike and James Trafford in what has been a hugely frustrating window.
And now, it gets even worse, with Manchester United beating them to the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
With Liverpool still relentlessly chasing Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson departing at the end of his contract, Newcastle desperately need at least one No.9 by the end of the window — more likely two.
There are three targets who seem more likely than others right now, so what would each bring to the table?
Yoane Wissa
Yoane Wissa is pushing for a move away from Brentford, and the Bees look willing to accept Newcastle’s bid, if they improve from the £25million they initially offered.
Wissa has really come into his own over the last couple of years, notching 31 goals and nine assists in 69 Premier League outings since the start of 2023/24.
Standing at just under 5ft 8″, Wissa won’t offer a formidable physical presence — indeed, averaging just 0.93 aerial duels won per 90 minutes last season (FBref).
What he does give you, however, is plenty of speed behind opposition defences, ball security and clinical finishing — Wissa was dispossessed just 1.08 times per 90 in 2024/25 and hit the target with 45.6% of his shots.
Interestingly, in a list of 10 strikers statistically similar to Wissa in the Premier League last season, Isak was named sixth by FBref. Isak was one of just five players to outscore the DR Congo international last season, so it’s no surprise to see the Magpies keen on him.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins also appeared on that list of Wissa comparisons in fifth, while Isak also occupied the sixth spot on his own set of comparisons.
Watkins has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United regularly over the last couple of years, and for good reason.
Since he joined Villa in 2020, only Mohamed Salah (111) and Erling Haaland (85) have scored more than Watkins’ 85 Premier League goals, while he’s also eighth during that time for assists with 34.
Watkins is quick, strong, great in the air and intelligent. His shot accuracy is slightly lower than Wissa’s and he only scored once in the Champions League last season, but his all-round game is among the best in Europe’s striker pool right now.
The England international turns 30 in December, so he’s very much a signing for the here and now, but that’s exactly what Newcastle need. The main issue is trying to get Aston Villa to sell, given they’re two clubs who will likely be battling for fifth spot in the Premier League once again this campaign.
Nick Woltemade
Nick Woltemade was previously a target for Manchester United before Sesko took priority, while Bayern Munich also came close to signing him this summer.
That’s because the two-time Germany international bagged 17 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions last season for Stuttgart, helping them finish ninth in the Bundesliga and win the DFB Pokal — their first major trophy since 2007.
Unlike Wissa and Watkins, Woltemade is less of a true No.9 and more of an all-rounder. The 23-year-old is excellent at dropping deep and into the half spaces to link play and create gaps for others, and has often been fielded as a No.10 or second striker throughout his career.
Last season, however, saw him explode as a goalscorer.
It would be gamble, given the season prior, Woltemade scoring just two goals in 30 league outings for Werder Bremen.
However, Woltemade is a player on the up and attracting the attention of giant clubs for a reason.
Oh, and we should probably mention that according to FBref, the player most similar to Woltemade across Europe’s top five leagues in the last 365 days is none other than Alexander Isak.
Others to consider: Nicolas Jackson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Goncalo Ramos, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Samu Omorodion