Newcastle now chasing “one of the best 9s in the world”, he’s like Wilson in his prime – opinion
Newcastle United Face Crucial Striker Decision as Ollie Watkins Emerges as Target
Newcastle United’s attacking department is undergoing a period of significant change.
The uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak’s future continues to dominate the headlines, with the Swedish striker making it abundantly clear that he has no intention of reintegrating into Eddie Howe’s squad if a transfer away from Tyneside does not materialise before the window closes.
This leaves Howe with a pressing headache: he must identify and secure a centre-forward capable of stepping straight into the team and delivering from the very first whistle of the new campaign.
The urgency has only intensified following the departure of Callum Wilson to West Ham United. The 33-year-old’s move brings an end to a prolific four-year spell at St James’ Park, during which he scored 47 goals in 113 appearances. His clinical finishing, clever movement, and knack for delivering in crucial moments earned him cult hero status among the Newcastle faithful. Many of his strikes came in the early days of the club’s new ownership, often proving decisive in pulling the Magpies away from danger.
Now, with Champions League football on the horizon and Premier League rivals investing heavily to strengthen their own squads, Newcastle can ill afford to enter the season without adequate firepower in the most important position on the pitch.
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A New Number Nine in Sight
Although Newcastle have been proactive in other areas — bringing in Anthony Elanga to bolster their attacking options out wide, Malick Thiaw to reinforce the defence, and Aaron Ramsdale to provide top-level competition in goal — the priority remains crystal clear: replacing the goals and presence lost with Wilson’s exit, and potentially with Isak’s too.
According to the Daily Mail, one name high on Newcastle’s wishlist is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. The England international is attracting serious interest from the Magpies as Villa themselves make moves in the transfer market, including reviving talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible return for Marco Asensio following his successful loan spell last season.
Asensio has already rebuffed lucrative approaches from clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but Villa remain keen to bolster their attacking depth amid ongoing uncertainty over both Watkins and Leon Bailey.
Manchester United had previously been linked with Watkins before switching their attention to RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško, leaving Newcastle among the most attentive observers of the situation. Villa’s recent signing of striker Evann Guessand adds another layer of intrigue, and with the club still navigating the constraints of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), a high-profile sale cannot be ruled out.
Watkins, valued at around £50 million, would represent both a substantial cash boost for Villa and a major coup for any buying club.
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Watkins vs Wilson — Similar Output, Different Styles
At 29 years old, Watkins is in the peak years of his career. Since joining Villa from Brentford in 2020 for £28 million, he has registered 75 goals in 184 appearances — a testament to his consistency at the highest level. His 18 England caps underline his international pedigree, while his tireless work rate, intelligent off-the-ball movement, and positional flexibility make him a persistent danger to opposition defences.
Football analyst Statman Dave has gone as far as to label Watkins “one of the best No 9s in the world,” a striker equally adept at leading the line, drifting into wide channels, or dropping into midfield to link play.
The parallels with Wilson’s arrival at Newcastle in 2020 are clear — both were proven Premier League scorers with a hunger for England recognition. However, Watkins offers something subtly different: a more rounded attacking skill set that blends scoring with creativity, giving him a deeper role in the build-up phase.
The statistics back this up. In terms of recent output, Wilson and Watkins are remarkably close — Wilson contributed 23 goal involvements in the 2022/23 season, while Watkins managed 24 in 2024/25. Wilson took slightly more shots per 90 minutes (3.36 to 2.84) and had a near-identical shooting accuracy (44.3% to 43.9%).
However, Watkins’ strengths shine in his involvement outside the penalty area. He completes more passes per 90 (10.6 to Wilson’s 7.66) and at a higher accuracy (72.4% vs. 66.1%). His progressive passing distance and progressive carries (1.90 to Wilson’s 1.29) indicate a greater willingness to drive forward from deeper areas. He also delivers more progressive passes per match (1.07 to 0.91), suggesting he can initiate attacks as well as finish them.
Wilson still edges it in direct dribbling — averaging 0.57 successful take-ons per 90 at a 33.3% success rate, compared to Watkins’ 0.35 at 24.4% — reflecting his more straightforward, penalty-box predator instincts.
Ultimately, the data shows two very different types of forward:
Wilson: A ruthless finisher who thrives with minimal touches in the box.
Watkins: A dynamic link player who can score, create, and stretch defences with movement across the pitch.
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Why Watkins Could Be Newcastle’s Ideal Upgrade
For Howe, Watkins’ versatility could be invaluable. Newcastle are now a side that often dominates possession, meaning they encounter deep defensive blocks more frequently. In such scenarios, a forward who can drop deep, combine with midfielders, and create openings becomes a crucial asset.
With Wilson now in claret and blue at West Ham and Isak potentially heading for the exit, Watkins wouldn’t simply be a like-for-like replacement — he could redefine Newcastle’s forward play. His ability to replicate Wilson’s goal output while offering fresh attacking dimensions could make him the perfect fit for the Magpies’ evolving style.
And with the World Cup looming, Watkins’ personal motivation to start the season strongly could align perfectly with Newcastle’s ambition to remain among the Premier League elite.
If Howe and the club’s hierarchy can get this deal over the line, they might just find themselves with a new No 9 capable of leading the line at St James’ Park for years to come — and ensuring that Newcastle’s attack not only survives this period of transition but thrives in it.