Newcastle are in the mix to sign 'elite' striker on free after he tells club he wants to leave

Newcastle United's striker recruitment over the summer didn't go how we expected it to go after retaining Callum Wilson and bringing in a young back-up striker with minimal experience.

Will Osula was signed from relegated side Sheffield United after the 21-year-old had a goalless first taste of Premier League life. However, the Denmark U21 international was in fine goalscoring form for the Blades in pre-season and has been on fire for the national side and will be itching for more chances at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Callum Wilson is still to train with the group since pre-season after picking up a back injury which means it's all on Alexander Isak to lead the line and so far this season he has been isolated up front with very little service.

Another ready-to-go option is very much needed and one player that Newcastle were linked with during the summer has now signalled his intention to move clubs next summer and is eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement in January.

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Newcastle want Jonathan David to sign a pre-contract agreement

Lille and Canada striker Jonathan David was our top choice for the striker role this summer and remains very high on our priority list, and it seems that Newcastle are one of many clubs in talks with the 24-year-old's representatives over a pre-contract deal.

Regarded as an 'elite' striker, David bagged 26 goals for Lille last season and while on international duty with Canada this summer hinted that he was thinking over his future.

In the end he opted to stay at Lille to see out the final year of his contract, likely knowing that as a free-agent he could negotiate higher wages at his new club.

There is a lot of big competition for Jonathan David's signature

The Boot Room names Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United as other Premier League sides interested in David as well as acknowledging previous interest from Tottenham and Manchester United who have since filled that position so may not be interested.

That's a lot of competition with Arsenal, Villa and Chelsea posing a big threat to Newcastle. Right now it looks highly unlikely that Newcastle could beat out Arsenal in the race for Jonathan David, but if he does choose the Gunners that should end their interest in Isak, so all is not lost.

We'd absolutely love to have Jonathan David at Newcastle and we're excited to see that we're still in the mix, but we've got some work to do to convince him to head to Tyneside.