Forget Sesko: Newcastle United can finally end summer transfer misery by signing £55m goal machine
Newcastle United are desperate to sign a striker this summer as they prepare for another European adventure
Manchester United have emerged as the new front-runners to sign Newcastle United-linked striker Benjamin Sesko in the latest hurdle of what has so far been a hugely frustrating summer for the St. James’ Park club.
Newcastle fans entered this transfer window full of optimism after what was widely considered the club’s best season in over a century. The North East club won the Carabao Cup final against the champions of England, Liverpool, last term and also secured Champions League qualification for just the third time this century.
The Magpies had resolved all their ongoing PSR issues away from the field after largely sitting out the last three transfer windows and cashing on youngsters such as Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh - and seemed in pole position to spend big on new recruits in a mission to compete for trophies on all fronts. It was thought that they’d learn from the mistakes of two years ago and would sign the squad depth required to improve and thrive in multiple competitions.
However, besides the exciting signing of winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, Newcastle are still yet to get going on the recruitment front in attack after missing out on reported targets such as Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and perhaps most notably Hugo Ekitike after having a club-record offer of £70m turned down. Sesko is next on Newcastle’s list of high-class striker targets. He’s 22, the same age as want-away forward Alexander Isak was when he first arrived at St James’ Park, and looks destined to have a great career. However, Sky Sports now claim Sesko’s preferred option is Manchester United rather than Eddie Howe’s side at present.
Why Newcastle United must sign a striker
Newcastle United are in desperate need of a striker to consolidate their position as a Champions League outfit next year. The club has already allowed Callum Wilson to leave on a free transfer, while they’re involved in a long-running stand-off with Liverpool over the future of talisman Alexander Isak as they continue to wait for the Reds’ first official bid.
Isak didn’t travel to the pre-season tour due to an apparent thigh injury, yet did board a plan to train on his own at his old club Real Sociedad’s training complex. He’s widely reported to have expressed a desire to explore his options, leaving the club with two experienced strikers in William Osula and academy graduate Sean Neave this pre-season.
The 27-goal striker Newcastle United should target
Newcastle realistically need two strikers this summer to even compete at the highest level - and one player they could potentially target is FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.
Aghehowa is a 21-year-old, 6ft4, Spain international who has just enjoyed an impressive season in Portugal, finishing second top scorer behind former Sporting star Victor Gyokeres, now of Arsenal. He boasts a goal record of 27 in 45 matches for FC Porto, including 19 in the league and six in nine matches at Europa League level.
He was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea throughout last summer before talks broke down and has proven a revelation at the Estádio do Dragão due to his immense speed, strength, positional awareness and excellent eye for goal. Aghehowa still has lots to learn but his potential is through the roof. He showed first hand what he can do to a top-level English side by scoring twice against Man United in the Europa League and appears to be blossoming into a top striker.
According to former Atlético Madrid scout Javier Vidales, via The Real Chelsea fans, Aghehowa is "more than just a strong striker who holds up play and distributes the ball". He sees Aghehowa as playing the "role of two attackers: a target man who occupies defenders and a mobile forward who finds space. If defenders close down the spaces, he acts as a traditional No.9; if they block him, he adapts to exploit openings.”
Reports from Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha suggest he’s available for around £55m amid reported interest from Aston Villa, putting him within Newcastle’s price range.