Former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie believes Eddie Howe's Newcastle United will have a surprise up their sleeve this summer and sign a world class striker. The Magpies have been in talks to sign Reims striker Hugo Ekitike for a number of weeks after the young French forward originally turned down a move to Tyneside in January.
Howe's side went back in for the 20-year-old this summer but negotiations are still ongoing despite the Ligue 1 side accepting a bid at the beginning of the month. Some reports claim the Magpies are growing frustrated with the lack of movement in the deal.
It's led a number of people to suggest the Toon chiefs look elsewhere as they look to avoid a repeat of last season's dismal start to the campaign. Newcastle will have a fully fit Callum Wilson at the start of pre-season having missed a large chunk of the season with an injury.
READ MORE: 'Out of this world' Nick Pope backed for Newcastle United success by former team-mate
However, his injury problems in the past mean he's yet to play over 30 games a season in the black and white of Newcastle. With European football part of the long-term vision, McAvennie believes Howe will have his eye on other potential options.
He told Football Insider : “I would think Eddie Howe will have his eye on someone. Last season some of the players just weren’t good enough.
“When Eddie Howe walked in they were struggling for relegation and then they finished in the top half of the table. He’s come in and transformed players that you wouldn’t have thought had that potential.
“Every player at Newcastle now knows what’s coming so they’re fighting for their future because if they can get to stay at Newcastle, their future is bright. Every year there’s going to be better players coming in. The home-grown players at Newcastle will be motivated by that, seeing how the top players train and how they play.
“Callum Wilson is a great striker, but there will be world-class strikers coming in, better than what’s there. It’s just a matter of time before they do it.
“I would think Eddie Howe will have his eye on someone. Would Callum Wilson score you 25 plus goals a season? I don’t know. Maybe if he’s got better players around him.
“I think signing Kieran Trippier was the catalyst, it shows you what kind of players they’re wanting to bring in. So I don’t know about the striker position at the moment.
“I don’t know if any of the top players would want to go there because they’ve all got enough money. They want to play in the Champions League and it might take two or three years before Newcastle are challenging for that.”
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
READ NEXT:
- The six candidates who could be Newcastle’s captain should Jamaal Lascelles leave
- Newcastle United squad numbers available to both Nick Pope and Sven Botman
- ‘Devastating’ - What Ralph Hasenhuttl and Luis Enrique said about Newcastle-linked Armando Broja
- Sven Botman has passed Newcastle's secret tests for transfer targets to silence AC Milan doubts
- Alan Shearer's one word response to Nick Pope transfer Newcastle United supporters will love
