“He’d Be Great with Wissa”: Newcastle Weigh Striker Move as Deadline Looms
The summer transfer window is rapidly drawing to a close, and with it, the endless speculation surrounding Alexander Isak’s uncertain future at Newcastle United. By the time the shutters come down on deadline day, the Magpies will hope to have clarity not only on their star forward’s situation but also on the reinforcements needed to spearhead their push back into the Champions League.
Newcastle’s campaign is already underway. A battling draw at Villa Park on the opening weekend showed flashes of promise, yet also highlighted a glaring truth: Eddie Howe’s side lacked a clinical centre-forward to convert dominance into victory. With Callum Wilson now wearing West Ham colours and Isak absent from training, Newcastle’s hierarchy is under pressure to deliver attacking recruits who can fire the club to both domestic and European success.
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Wissa Still the Priority
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa remains at the top of Newcastle’s list. After months of negotiations, the Magpies are inching closer but have yet to strike a breakthrough. Their second offer—£35 million plus performance-based add-ons—was swiftly rejected by the Bees, who remain in no rush to sell.
Still, the player’s determination could prove decisive. Wissa has reportedly made it clear that his heart is set on a move to St James’ Park, a desire that aligns perfectly with Howe’s philosophy of commitment, cohesion, and relentless pressing. Despite sources close to the club expressing pessimism about a deal being completed before the window shuts, Wissa’s stance continues to fuel Newcastle’s optimism.
Should that pursuit collapse, an alternative lies in Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen, though his £60 million valuation has been deemed an extravagant outlay for a striker who is yet to consistently prove himself at the highest level.
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Newcastle Enter Chelsea’s Jackson Race
According to fresh reports from TEAMtalk, Newcastle are now weighing up a formal move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, a player who could command a fee closer to £60 million, significantly below the £80 million valuation once tied to Aston Villa’s interest earlier in the summer.
The Senegal international, signed from Villarreal for around £30 million in 2023, has endured a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge. While his finishing has been erratic, his broader contributions have been impressive: 34 goal involvements in 65 Premier League appearances underline both his talent and his potential to grow.
Journalist Rahman Osman has described Jackson as a player of “special” quality, while even Thierry Henry has been among those to praise his raw attributes. At just 24, he offers Newcastle something different—a dynamic, mobile forward with pace, strength, and link-up ability, tailor-made for Howe’s high-intensity style.
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Why Jackson Could Complement Wissa
Whereas Wissa has established himself as a proven finisher in the Premier League, Jackson’s game is more rounded. Data from Sofascore illustrates the contrast: Wissa’s sharpness in front of goal stands out, while Jackson offers creativity and energy, averaging over one key pass per game across his top-flight appearances.
This makes him more than just a striker—he’s a facilitator, someone capable of drawing defenders, stretching play, and opening spaces for teammates. In combination with Wissa, who thrives alongside versatile forwards (as shown in his successful partnership with Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford), Jackson could form part of a formidable duo at St James’ Park.
Together, they would offer Howe tactical variety: Wissa providing predatory instincts inside the box, Jackson supplying movement, pace, and the ability to knit attacks together. For a side looking to replace Isak’s all-round game, this blend could be invaluable.
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A Defining Few Days for Howe and Newcastle
Time is running out. With Isak still sidelined and Wilson gone, the need for at least two high-level forwards is glaring. Newcastle’s recruitment team, backed by PIF, must now decide whether to push harder for Wissa, pursue Jackson aggressively, or attempt to secure both before the window shuts on September 1st.
Landing the pair would send a powerful statement: Newcastle aren’t merely replacing personnel—they’re reshaping their attack for the next phase of Howe’s project. With St James’ Park already buzzing from the excitement of European nights last season, the addition of Wissa and Jackson could elevate the Magpies once again into a genuine force, both domestically and on the continent.
Should Howe get his wish, 2024/25 could be remembered as the season when Newcastle finally built the strike force capable of delivering silverware to Tyneside for the first time in generations.