Newcastle United striker target leaves the pitch in tears after suffering an injury
Newcastle United’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements has suffered yet another setback, with their striker search continuing to drag on into the latter stages of the transfer window.
The Magpies, who have already overseen a hectic summer of ins and outs, are desperate to find the right balance up front. While their transfer business so far has been shrewd, the issue of their forward line remains unresolved. Eddie Howe’s side need at least one striker to replace the departing Callum Wilson, while uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak’s future has pushed the club towards targeting a second addition in attack.
Jørgen Strand Larsen has been strongly linked, but negotiations appear complicated, while talks over Brentford’s Yoane Wissa remain inconclusive. Another name that emerged recently is Porto forward Samu Aghehowa, a 21-year-old regarded as one of the brightest young strikers in Europe.
However, Newcastle’s interest may have been dealt a severe blow on Monday night.
Samu Aghehowa suffers injury amid Newcastle links
Samu started for Porto in their Primeira Liga clash with Gil Vicente, helping his side secure a 2-0 victory and maintain their perfect start to the season. Yet the evening turned sour when the young striker pulled up with a muscle issue just half an hour into the match.
Clearly in distress, Samu was forced off the pitch in tears and replaced by former Newcastle man Luuk de Jong. The emotional reaction suggests the injury could be a serious one, raising doubts about whether he will be able to secure a late transfer this summer.
The financial challenge of signing Samu
Even before his setback, a move for Samu looked difficult from a financial standpoint. Porto are reportedly holding out for around £80 million, a fee that would shatter Newcastle’s transfer record. Such a sum would surpass the £63 million the Magpies spent to bring Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022.
In theory, sanctioning such a deal could pave the way for Isak’s departure, with several European clubs circling the Sweden international. But the risk factor is considerable: Samu, while promising, remains largely unproven at the highest level. Spending that kind of money on a relatively inexperienced player would represent a massive gamble, and Newcastle’s hierarchy are thought to be unwilling to take such a leap.
A complicated striker hunt
As things stand, Newcastle remain stuck in their striker search, with each potential target presenting its own difficulties—whether due to price, availability, or injuries. The club’s ambitious goals for the season hinge on finding reliable reinforcements in attack, but time is beginning to run short.
What once seemed like a straightforward task—signing replacements for Wilson and possibly Isak—has now turned into a frustrating saga that threatens to overshadow an otherwise strong summer of business.