Newcastle United’s search for a striker has dominated the final weeks of the transfer window, as Eddie Howe looks to reshape his attack following a turbulent summer.
At the heart of the saga is Alexander Isak, who has made clear he has no intention of playing for the club again.
The Swede has not trained with the squad, did not feature in Newcastle’s opening Premier League fixture away at Aston Villa, and issued a statement on Instagram this week citing a belief that change was in everyone’s best interests.
Eddie Howe admitted in a press conference that he had been aware of Isak’s desire to leave since the end of last season, and while Liverpool remains the forward’s preferred destination, the deal will not happen until Newcastle have found a replacement.
That need has grown increasingly pressing.
Over the course of the summer, Newcastle have already missed out on a succession of striker targets. Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko all moved elsewhere, leaving the Magpies short of options.
The club have also registered interest in Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen, though any move there would prove expensive.
While Howe has strengthened in other areas – signing Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, and Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton – the striker issue continues to define Newcastle’s summer.
Newcastle hold talks over Chelsea forward
According to Fabrizio Romano, in the “last 48 hours”, Newcastle have opened conversations regarding a move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.
However, the reporter claims that both Bayern Munich and Aston Villa are also in the mix, which means that there is plenty of competition to sign the Senegal international.
Villa are pushing hard for Jackson’s signature, with Unai Emery keen to reunite with the striker he coached during their time together at Villarreal.
The news of Jackson’s exit comes after falling down the pecking order at Chelsea, with new arrivals Joao Pedro and Liam Delap deemed more credible options by manager Enzo Marseca.
Chelsea have placed a price tag of £80m on the 24-year-old, but any potential suitor will hope that figure comes closer to £70m as the window draws to a close.
Why Newcastle should sign Nicolas Jackson
Jackson has enjoyed strong levels of returns since his arrival from Villarreal, scoring 24 goals and providing 10 assists in 65 Premier League appearances, per Transfermarkt. He also netted in the Conference League final against Real Betis in May, but discipline has occasionally been an issue.
The Blues forward was sent off against Newcastle in a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park last season and again at the Club World Cup against Flamengo.
At 1.87m tall and just 24 years of age, Jackson fits the recruitment model Newcastle have tried to maintain under Howe, targeting young players with room to develop into long-term assets.
Yoane Wissa of Brentford is another forward who has been the subject of interest from Newcastle this summer. The Congolese striker has just enjoyed the most productive season of his career, scoring 19 goals and supplying five assists in 35 appearances.
Only Mohamed Salah scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League last term, underlining Wissa’s consistency in front of goal.
Since joining Brentford, he has registered 45 goals in 137 league appearances overall and has openly expressed a desire to join Newcastle in order to play Champions League football. The Bees, however, have rejected Newcastle’s bids, including an offer worth £40m, and are said to value Wissa closer to £60m.
The forward, who turns 29 in September, is older than the preferred age profile for recruits at St James’ Park, which is said to focus on players aged 24 and under.
He may also be absent in early 2026 due to AFCON commitments. With Brentford enduring a difficult summer that has already seen the departures of manager Thomas Frank, goalkeeper Mark Flekken, captain Christian Norgaard, and winger Bryan Mbeumo, they are reluctant to sanction another key exit.
The debate for Newcastle is whether to prioritise an immediate end product or invest in potential. Wissa’s case is built on proven returns.
Seasonal Returns – Yoane Wissa
2024/25 – Premier League
19 goals, 5 assists
2023/24 – Premier League
12 goals, 4 assists
2022/23 – Premier League
7 goals, 3 assists
2021/22 – Premier League
7 goals, 1 assist
2020/21 – Ligue 1
10 goals, 5 assists
According to FBref, his 19 goals last season came with impressive underlying numbers: 2.77 shots per 90 minutes, 1.27 of those on target, and a progressive passing distance of 49.9 metres per 90, reflecting his ability to create and stretch play.
At 28, he is entering the peak years of his career and would represent a striker capable of delivering right away.
Jackson, by contrast, offers a younger, more malleable profile.
His 3.08 shots per 90 minutes, with 1.38 on target, show a player more inclined to get into scoring positions, even if his shot-on-target percentage of 44.7 is fractionally below Wissa’s 45.6.
Where Jackson stands out is in creative involvement: he averages 2.80 shot-creating actions per 90, compared to Wissa’s 2.13.
Though he lags behind Wissa in progressive passing numbers, Jackson’s ability to carry the ball – 1.90 progressive carries per 90 compared to Wissa’s 1.85 – highlights a player able to move defences through dribbling rather than distribution.
Market value also plays a role. Wissa is currently valued at £27m, while Jackson sits at £43m, but Chelsea’s asking price is substantially higher than that.
Brentford’s hardline stance means Wissa could cost close to £60m despite being older and closer to the end of his peak.
Jackson, at 24, is four years younger and represents the sort of asset Newcastle can build around and potentially resell at value in the future.
Wissa, while immediately reliable, may represent a shorter-term option with less scope for growth. For Howe, the decision will hinge on balancing short-term needs with long-term strategy.
Isak’s refusal to return has left Newcastle desperately short, and with Champions League football on the horizon, the temptation to secure an experienced, proven finisher like Wissa is clear.
Yet the club’s transfer policy under its current ownership has been consistent in pursuing players who can grow with the project. In that regard, Jackson offers a player who, if developed properly, could become a central figure for Newcastle for years to come.
The urgency of the situation means Newcastle may have little time to deliberate. Every week without a replacement is a week where Howe is forced to field a side without a natural striker.
Wissa has shown he can deliver goals immediately, but Jackson represents the future. For a club determined to compete not only this season but in the seasons ahead, that future may prove more valuable than the present.