The transfer window is still simmering and it is clear that Newcastle are trying to do a lot of business this summer, both in and out.
Callum Wilson and Chris Wood are likely to be in the first team squad next season, but there will be a desire to add another striker to the squad. Dwight Gayle is expected to leave this summer, which will open up a place.
In this transfer piece, we look at five potential targets for the club. Huge Ekitike isn’t spoken about, but he could arrive in the coming weeks after a deal was agreed with Reims. Even if he does complete his move, the club may look to sign another striker.
Moussa Dembele – Lyon
This is a player that has been linked to the club in recent seasons and he has just had his best season to date with Lyon. Dembele has scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 and that is the third time in four seasons that he has got 15 or more.
Lyon didn’t qualify for Europe this season, which means they are at risk of losing some of their best players. We already have a good relationship with them after signing Bruno Guimaraes in January.
His underlying metrics are impressive too. Dembele averages 0.57 non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and 3.28 shots per ninety minutes. We need a striker that can produce high shot numbers and the Frenchman would bring that.
There is less risk signing him, as he has previously played in Scotland and England. With only one year left on his contract, this could be a very smart piece of business.
Ivan Toney – Brentford
There have been some links to Ivan Toney during the last 12 months. It would represent some embarrassment if we were to spend big money on a player that we previously had on our books. However, the Brentford striker has since developed into one of the best centre forwards in the country.
After Brentford’s promotion, there were some doubts about his ability to perform in the Premier League. He has quickly put an end to those, with 12 goals and five assists in a promoted team.
One strength of Toney’s is his ability to bring others into the game, with an average of 0.18 expected assists (xA) per ninety minutes. This puts him in the 79th percentile among forwards. In terms of production, he averages 0.25 npxG and 2.57 shots per ninety minutes.
There will be some concerns about his goal threat in open play, as he has been prolific from the penalty spot over the last season. However, in a better team, his overall game could reach a new level. He is one we should be considering.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Union Berlin
The big Union Berlin striker looks to be perfect for the Premier League. During his time in Germany, he has emerged as one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga, despite playing in an unfashionable side.
He carries a huge threat in the final third, as shown by his average of 0.51 npxG per ninety minutes. Awoniyi ranks in the 88th percentile among forwards, showing he is very good at getting into goal-scoring positions.
Although his link up play and creativity could be areas for improvement, he is a very good striker at the age of 24. Awoniyi would be a good fit for Eddie Howe, as he likes to press and contribute off the ball.
Awoniyi was previously on the books at Liverpool, despite not playing for them. He should be able to adapt to life in England with comfort.
Joao Pedro – Watford
There have been links to Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, but we should be looking at another player at Vicarage Road. Joao Pedro has all the attributes to be an excellent centre forward and he profiles perfectly for an Eddie Howe side.
Pedro averages 18.45 pressure, 1.2 tackles, 1.04 interceptions and 1.53 blocks per ninety minutes. He profiles as an excellent presser and he contributes a lot out of possession for a striker.
His return of three goals and one assist doesn’t stand out, but he was playing in a poor Watford team. Pedro was used in a variety of roles across the forward line and his versatility also means he appeals.
As a player, he is comfortable dropping deep to carry the ball and link the play, with 4.87 progressive carries and 2.68 shot creating actions per ninety minutes. Pedro could be the perfect project for Howe and at the age of 20, he could develop into a great player.
Amine Gouiri – Nice
A player that has been scouted by the club is Amine Gouiri. The Nice forward is a little different to the others on the list. He is more of a deep lying centre forward, capable of dropping deep to influence matches.
He has been a regular at Nice since joining the club from Lyon. During the season that has just finished, Gouiri has contributed ten goals and nine assists. His dual threat will appeal to the club, who are looking to add goal-scoring and creativity to the forward line.
Last season, he averaged 0.28 npxG and 0.22 xA per ninety minutes, showing the threat that he does carry in the final third. Gouiri’s average of 3.99 shot creating actions per ninety minutes underlines his creativity.
Gouiri is a player that likes to run with the ball, with an average of 6.41 progressive carries per ninety. His creativity and dynamism makes him an intriguing option for the club.
