Ex Magpie ‘a good fit’ for next season
A NEW striker is likely to be on Newcastle United’s transfer agenda in the summer. Chris Wood and Dwight Gayle are the only two senior strikers available for Eddie Howe at the moment, as Callum Wilson is still sidelined with injury.
Gayle has hardly had a look-in and will probably be one of the Magpies players to move away from the club in the summer, which leaves space for another frontman at St James’ Park.
While Wood has struggled for goals, his arrival was essential in the January transfer window as Howe knew Wilson would be out for most of the season.
Both strikers are very reliable options to have at Premier League level but it is important that further cover is brought in during the summer.
Hugo Ekitike from Reims continues to be linked after United agreed a fee with the Ligue 1 side on Deadline Day three months ago.
However, many would rather see a player proven in the English leagues arrive on Tyneside. One of the players, with history of playing at the club, who has also been linked is Ivan Toney and former Leeds and Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny believes it would be very smart recruitment to sign the Brentford striker.
“Toney is proven at this level, that’s for sure. He also doesn’t have any injury issues, which is what has blighted Callum Wilson,” he told Football Insider. “I think he’s only going to get better as well. He will get more chances at Newcastle so, to me, that’s more goals.
“Newcastle want to be up there, challenging for Europe. Is Toney the man to score the goals to get them there? Maybe he is, I think he could do that. That’s what they are looking for, it’s the next level in their development. It would be a cracking signing in my opinion.”
Whether or not Toney would be open to a return to the club he left almost four years ago remains to be seen but it is hard to imagine Howe not being interested in signing him. To score 12 goals and register four assists in 29 games in your debut Premier League season is seriously impressive and he will be the subject of plenty of interest.
United will be hoping to be at the front of the queue if they do express an interest but there may well be teams competing in European competition also in the race.