It’s going to be a big summer at Newcastle United, with several signings needed to leave us capable of competing on four fronts next season.
In my final part of this series, I look at our current situation in the striking department.
Another striker needed
A final section of the squad that I believe cannot afford to be left untouched this summer is upfront.
With Callum Wilson set to see out the remaining months of his contract and leave for free at the end of the season, that leaves one of the best in the world at what he does, Alexander Isak, and an inexperienced and raw William Osula for 2025/26.
Whilst I love what Osula has to offer in his eccentricity and I’m hopeful he has the qualities to be a good forward in the division one day, he’s far from that currently. He may even need a loan to help refine his skills, meaning we’re left with a slightly injury-prone Isak to lead the line throughout the season, which simply can’t happen.
A versatile forward has been noted to be of interest to Paul Mitchell, which I see as very sensible. It could allow us to alter formation game by game, rotate easier and provide much-needed cover across the forward line.
One name that comes to mind when describing this type of player, is Matheus Cunha of Wolves.
He recently signed a new contract which includes a release clause in the region of £60million, and if the funds are there after the other areas have been addressed, he could be a great addition.
Cunha and other options
In my opinion, Cunha is a no-brainer despite the worries around his attitude after a few idiotic red cards this season. His qualities shine through – he’s a match winner in the final third, he’s versatile and he is Premier League proven.
Lille’s Jonathan David is one to watch as a bargain free agent to be who has been scouted extensively, although he, Ipswich’s Liam Delap and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko may be tough to sign as out and out strikers who won’t arrive to sit on the bench behind Isak?
Moise Kean has been linked recently after a superb season at Fiorentina, as has impressive Villarreal striker Thierno Barry and Emanuel Emegha of Strasbourg; two cheaper options who Paul Mitchell may have an eye on.
Cunha is most certainly a player whose arrival would raise eyebrows, help in our push up the league and give us one of the most threatening, dynamic and exciting forward lines in world football.
In conclusion, it’s bound to be another headache-inducing few months with rumours, true and false, flying all over and out of every mouth in sports media. Let’s just put our trust in Paul Mitchell and hope for some fascinating incomings.
Bit of a challenge for our Mr Mitchell if the Man U/Cunha reports have some substance. Is he (Mitchell) up to it? (That’s if Eddie wants a worky ticket on board)
davewallace(Quote)
Think we need to think sensibly on this one mind.
All the names you list above are playing first team football at the clubs they are already at – none of them are shifting Isak, but they will expect to move to a club where they will be main man.
I don’t care how good Mitchell is, he isn’t convincing anyone they will shift Isak while he’s at NUFC.
Take Cunha as the example – he goes to MU and they can easily convince him he starts ahead of Hojlund – Chelsea? you start ahead of Jackson – Arsenal and Havertz? it’s an easier sell than ours still.
I think we need to be looking at a player not yet quite ready. I know we have that in Osula but I don’t know how close he is.
Sharpy17(Quote)
As the piece states though, Cunha could be cover for Isak when needed but his versatility allows him to also fit into 2-3 other areas of team. I’d totally agree if he was a No.9 and nothing else (like Delap etc)
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Osula will always be a raw talent unless we give him more opportunities, the number of times Wilson has been used to replace Isak when all he has shown is his lack of pace and mobility.
This has happened even when games are “safe”, the only way he becomes better is to give him the opportunity.
I fear the same thing is happening with Lewis Miley at the moment, if we show a lack confidence in them they will stagnate.
Joseph(Quote)
Cunha is a very good player, but he isn’t a 9 and doesn’t fit our formation in any way. He has had 4% of his minutes playing as a 9 this season, and has barely played on the right in his career. He is a 10, cutting in from the left from the half space.
I would say that Mbuemo or Jonathan Burkardt would be more in lin with what we need. Mbuemo being a RW that cuts in and can play as a 9 if needed. Burkhardt being the opposite, a 9 that can play on the wing when required to. Check them out.
Simply put, Cunha and his £62.5M release clause would swallow most of our budget, and doesn’t make sense from a team perspective. We need depth. I’d like to see Kim Min Jae, Mbuemo and Trafford arrive, and a CM if we sell Longstaff.
Silva77(Quote)
Forget Cunha he fits Man Utd player profile more than he fits ours.
His attitude stinks and I very much doubt we’re even in for him.
The ironic thing is we tried to sign a guy that would be perfect now in Ekitike but I also don’t think we’ll revisit that one.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
From what I’ve seen,Cunha’s work rate is not the best when the opposition have the ball, which could make him a perfect fit for Man Ure. If we could have any player out there to play wide right IMO it would be Olisse currently at Bayern Munich ( ex Crystal Palace ). Almost certainly unobtainable currently ? Failing that I like the look of Antoine Semenyo. However until deals are done we have little option but to speculate and continue reading the sometimes crazy,but often entertaining speculation from others on here and make of it what we will. 🫣🤔😉
Tommy Tantrum(Quote)