Newcastle United have added a Bundesliga forward to their summer shortlist but will face heavy competition for his signature

Callum Wilson is likely to depart this summer and a centre-forward is a high priority for Newcastle. The issue the recruitment team headed by Steve Nickson and sporting director Paul Mitchell have is finding one to play second choice to Alexander Isak.

This has made a more versatile option who can play in multiple positions across the front line, such a Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo or Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, an attractive possibility – and the latest name linked fits into a similar school of thought.

Newcastle interested in Burkhardt

Newcastle are preparing to compete with Frankfurt, Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs and Brighton for the signing of prolific Mainz forward Jonathan Burkhardt, according to German journalist Christian Falk.

The 24-year-old has scored 16 and assisted three in 23 appearances in all competitions this season, playing primarily as a number nine but has the capability of playing out wide and may solve two Eddie Howe headaches in one.

A right-winger to compete with Jacob Murphy, with the sale of Miguel Almiron in January leaving the Toon light on the right, has also been considered as a priority position this summer. Burkhardt may kill two birds with one stone.

Newcastle will have to beat heavy competition for the signature of the German international, with Frankfurt currently leading the race for the forward according to Balk, who wrote in his Daily Briefing column:

“Jonathan Burkardt: Frankfurt is currently the favourite for a transfer, while Bayern are still hesitating.”

He added: “Burkardt wants to take the next step in his career, and that could be the Premier League. Manchester United are rumoured to be one of the clubs from England interested in him, along with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Brighton – they are all said to have scouted Burkardt.”

Newcastle considering forward options

Newcastle are highly likely to sign a forward to rotate with Alexander Isak with it now seeming Champions League football will return to St. James’ Park next season.

Eddie Howe prefers to play with a sole striker as opposed to a front two, making links with Lille forward Jonathan David who would be available on a free transfer this season seem far fetched – with the Canadian unlikely to come and play second fiddle.

A less glamorous option, who is also available on a free transfer this summer, is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. I actually like the Everton forward as a rotation option, especially to come off the bench if we were to load balls into the box chasing a game late on.