5 Strikers Newcastle United Could Turn to This Summer
Despite making six signings so far this summer, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is not finished in the transfer market just yet, with a proven goalscorer being his main priority.
With Emmanuel Riviere already on board after his arrival from AS Monaco last week, the Magpies have turned their attentions to landing an out-and-out striker before the 31 August deadline.
According to The Journal’s Mark Douglas, the Toon want a top forward to follow Ayoze Perez, Siem de Jong, Remy Cabella, Jack Colback, Daryl Janmaat and Riviere through the door at St. James’ Park.
And as usual, the local and national press have wasted little time in linking the Geordies with a host of names at home and abroad.
Here, Bleacher Report looks at five reported targets Newcastle could approach to lead the line next season.
Andy Carroll
Not for the first time since he left Tyneside in 2011, striker Andy Carroll is being linked with a move back to Newcastle United, and a bid of £15 million is rumoured to be in the offing.
The West Ham United forward is understood to be settled in the capital, but the Mirror’s Alan Oliver insists the chance to recoup their initial outlay could temp the Hammers to sell.
His time in East London has been hampered by injury, and a Magpies source has suggested a return to his boyhood club could prove irresistible for the 25-year-old.
They said, per Oliver, “Like all Geordies, Andy Carroll has never lost his love for Newcastle and we are sure if West Ham agree to sell we would have no difficulty in persuading him to come home.”
Danny Ings
With Loic Remy poised to join Liverpool, as reported by The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe, Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is ready to turn to Burnley striker Danny Ings.
The England under-21 star has just 12 months remaining on his Turf Moor contract, and the chance to vie for the Magpies’ No. 9 shirt would be an alluring proposition.
The player has insisted that he’s happy in the North-West, saying: “I signed a four-year contract when I came here and I still have a year left. I don’t feel there should be any panic. I am just enjoying my football.”
But according to Douglas, that hasn’t stopped Pardew from placing the former Bournemouth man on his wanted list after he netted 26 times in all competitions for the Clarets last season.
Alexandre Lacazette
The name Alexandre Lacazette has been linked with Newcastle United for some months now, and the club continue to keep tabs on the striker, as reported Douglas.
Despite being quoted an asking price of £16 million by Lyon, the Magpies remain interested in landing the French international, who netted 23 times for the Ligue 1 outfit last term.
The next few days could define Lacazette’s immediate future, with a three-year contract extension reported to be on the table at the Stade de Gerland.
And if Lee Ryder’s report in the Evening Chronicle is anything to go by, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas’ offer could ultimately thwart the Toons' attempts to land the 23-year-old.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Despite the fact he only joined Borussia Dortmund a year ago, French forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future is already the subject of intense speculation.
Newcastle United were keen to enlist his services last summer before the striker moved to Germany, with the Daily Mirror’s David Cartlidge reporting as much at the time.
But according to Metro’s Anthony Williams, a fee of just £7 million could be enough to secure the former Saint-Etienne man’s signature this time around, with Chelsea in the hunt.
The West Londoners, however, face competition from the Magpies, with Alex Harris in the Sunday Express suggesting he is free to move on despite scoring 13 league goals last season.
Carlos Bacca
It was the beginning of this month that Newcastle United were first linked with Carlos Bacca, and so far, the Colombian striker has yet to make a move from Seville.
The forward bagged a Europa League winners medal with the Spaniards last term and also found the net on 21 occasions in what was his first season in La Liga.
The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reported the Magpies’ interest some weeks ago after Pardew received rave reviews on the former Club Brugge man.
And now that Everton have entered the race, as suggested by the Daily Star’s Adrian Kajumba, a move to the Premier League looks likely ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.