As Callum Wilson risks departing as a free agent and struggles to convince Newcastle that he’s worthy of another contract, discussion continues around another striker arriving at St James’ Park this summer.

Alexander Isak needs support and the squad needs two quality options in each position if we want to compete on four fronts next season ahead of our return to some form of European football.

A number of names have been linked, from Lille’s Jonathan David to Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Moise Kean at Fiorentina, but one emerging target may be out of reach.

£30m target unlikely to join Toon?

Despite increasing talk of Newcastle’s interest in Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, it sounds like he is unlikely to end up on Tyneside this summer, as things stand.

According to Craig Hope’s latest piece for The Mail, there is a ‘growing expectation’ in transfer circles that Alexander Isak is staying at Newcastle this summer; which is good news for the club but a red flag for certain targets.

With Isak expected to stay, it’s believed Delap and his camp have reservations about a move to St James’ Park, as he would likely arrive as cover for the Swede; not our main man up top.

As a result, Hope reports that Newcastle’s chances of landing the 22-year-old are ‘slim’, with the player eager to be someone’s first choice striker next season – something he could not be guaranteed while Isak remains in black and white.

One club who could promise that game time is Man Utd, who are thought to be interested after watching the England talent alongside Toon scouts this season.

Newcastle’s biggest challenge this summer

Bringing in a quality right-winger and centre-back may be two moves at the top of our priority list this summer, but I’d argue that finding a suitable back-up option to Isak may be our toughest task.

Isak is one of the best in the business and arguably the first name on Howe’s team sheet when fit. We also only play with one striker, so any forward arriving as Callum Wilson’s potential replacement will realise their route to starts won’t be clear.

Delap is a prime example. Knowing we play a 4-3-3 and have Isak as our star man in attack, he is bound to question where he’d fit in on a weekly basis.

We need a big squad to handle the demands of Premier League, European and cup football, but a quality striker wanting regular minutes will take some convincing when Isak is standing between them and starts!