How Newcastle’s transfer targets would bolster their frontline
Eddie Howe is looking to add another striker to compete with Callum Wilson and improve the team’s squad depth.
Despite starting the new season strong, taking four points from a possible six, it’s clear that Newcastle are in need of reinforcements in attack and with the transfer window nearing a close, the club are acting fast.
They have, however, been linked to numerous attackers throughout the window including failed bids for Hugo Ekitike, who opted to join French giants PSG, and Jack Harrison, who Leeds priced out of a move to the North East.
As the rumours continue, it’s clear the club are adamant to improve the current attack so I will be analysing the rumoured players to join and seeing how they compare to the players they are reportedly in line to replace.
How the strikers Newcastle are interested in faired in their respective 2021/22 league campaigns.
Even though Chris Wood was bought in January for £25 million, his singing was more of a stopgap until the end of the season and alongside Callum Wilson’s injury record, it’s clear that Howe is aiming to add a young striker to provide competition with Wilson, but who is also not expecting to start every game and be the main striker at the club - yet.
Goncalo Ramos -
Appearances: 29 (17 starts)
Goals: 7
Latest Transfer Update: Bid is expected to be made by the club soon.
Reports in Portugal claim Newcastle are preparing a bid of around £25 million plus add ons for the Portugese striker.
There has also been interest from PSG, Southampton and Wolves reported recently but there have been no official bids as of yet.
Armando Broja -
Appearances: 32 (21 starts)
Goals: 6
Latest Transfer Update: Have made contact with Chelsea regarding a deal, most likely a loan.
The Albanian burst onto the scene last season whilst on loan at Southampton, scoring his six goals in the space of 15 games.
However it looks likely that he will be leaving his parent club Chelsea before the window shuts as they are looking to bring in another striker, moving him further down the pecking order.
João Pedro -
Appearances: 28 (15 starts)
Goals: 3
Latest Transfer Update: Club preparing a second offer after a £23 million bid was rejected.
Watford recently rejected the bid of £20 million plus £3 million add ons from Newcastle and they could be more reluctant to sell as they have recently lost Emmanuel Dennis to Nottingham Forest, and it’s looking likely that Ismailia Sarr will join Crystal Palace shortly.
Pedro can play upfront and out on the left wing and the Brazilian has already scored at St James’ Park, netting Watford’s goal in the 1-1 draw in January.
Bamba Dieng -
Appearances: 25 (11 starts)
Goals: 7
Latest Transfer Update: Marseille are happy let the forward leave if his €15 million price tag is met.
Dieng can also play anywhere across the frontline and could emerge as more of a budget option compared to Pedro and Ramos.
The versatile foward has just had a very productive season, averaging a goal involvement every 122 minutes whilst also winning the AFCON in February with Senegal.
Comparing last seasons stats of the linked strikers to those already at the club.
(Gold=Highest stat, Silver=Second highest, Bronze=Third highest)
One of Callum Wilson’s strongest attributes is his clinical finishing and he proved this last season, scoring eight goals in 1,386 minutes, equal to 0.52 per 90 minutes.
Eddie Howe will certainly not want the team to lose Wilson’s finishing ability if the he is unable to select the former Bournemouth man.
As you can see in the table, Bamba Dieng is the the most clinical of the linked names, scoring 0.65 goals per 90 and 48.6% of his shots being on target, both stats scoring higher than Wilson last season.
Goncalo Ramos also scored quite highly and Armando Broja not far behind but Joao Pedro’s stats came in considerably lower than the others.
Eddie Howe’s system requires forwards that are willing to work hard and press high up the pitch.
Despite his shooting stats not being outstanding, Joao Pedro’s defensive actions are remarkable compared to the current Newcastle strikers.
Callum Wilson and Chris Wood’s defensive work are substantially lower than those linked with a move, highlighting a key area that Eddie Howe is attempting to improve in the side.
This is what could give Pedro the edge over the others and explains why he has emerged as the main target for the club and why there has already been an official offer made for the Brazilian.
How well the potential new signings performed whilst on the ball last season.
Another area that João Pedro excels in is his ability with the ball, attempting an impressive 5.36 dribbles per 90 minutes and completing 2.19 carries into the final third per 90, progressing the ball and the team further up the pitch.
Armando Broja’s stats also show his ability to progress well into dangerous areas and his comfortableness on the ball.
This is also another area in which Chris Wood scores the lowest in, verifying that he is not a long term solution to the striker spot and that he is not really suitable to the Eddie Howe’s playstyle.
With only two weeks of the transfer window left, it looks increasingly likely the club will bring in a young striker to provide depth and competition to the squad, with the most likely target, at this moment in time, being João Pedro.
His stats and strengths lean towards the way that Howe likes to play, despite him not being as clinical as the other names mentioned, he is only 20 and it’s without a doubt that being coached and managed under Howe would improve him as a player.
With the club preparing a second bid, will we see Pedro join the club and be the latest Brazilian to pull on the black and white stripes?