Craig Hope says Newcastle United have been discussing two Premier League strikers as potential replacement for Callum Wilson
Callum Wilson confirmed this week that he has left Newcastle United after five years at the club, leaving Eddie Howe with a massive gap to fill up front.
Last summer, we started off so many articles by saying how badly we needed an extra striker through the door, as Callum Wilson could not be relied upon to be available when Alexander Isak was not.
The club signed Will Osula from Sheffield United, but it soon became clear that he was bought for the future and was never intended to be utilised so much last season. Hopefully, he's starting to prove himself, so he will be given more minutes next season, but even if he has, the departure of Wilson leaves us in the same position.
As much as we see the potential in Osula, we don't see him as the answer in terms of pushing Alexander Isak or indeed filling in when he's not available. Also, we've been caught out before only having two strikers, and it's not a mistake we should be making again.
Craig Hope says Newcastle are eyeing Yoane Wissa and Ollie Watkins
Thankfully, it seems Newcastle agree and are looking to sign a striker this summer. One who can pick up the slack when Isak is tired or injured. Premier League-proven or at least Premier League-ready.
Craig Hope has now shared two names in his Newcastle Confidential column that have been discussed by the club, and both would be the exact type of addition we're looking for.
Newcastle have discussed bids for Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Both would be very difficult deals to do, you'd imagine, but at least we're looking at the right calibre of striker.
Newcastle are looking at strikers with Premier League experience
Again, the issue will be attracting forwards who are currently first-choice at their respective clubs to come and play second-fiddle to Isak. Also, as Hope points out, Wissa is 28 and Watkins is 29 which means there'd be little resale value, and given how costly a deal for either would be, it's a huge risk.
Of course, Hope also mentions Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who, while free, has high wage demands, and as we've said so often now, my computer practically autocompletes the sentences around him, stating how we feel he is simply not good enough or reliable enough for what we need.
We'll have to see how far those discussions got around Wissa and Watkins, and if any bids come in, but we're not holding our breath on either. However, it's good to see the type of player that is being discussed is in line with what we believe is needed.
