Newcastle United have four strikers in the first-team (Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Chris Wood, Dwight Gayle) but are expected to bring in another centre-forward this summer as only two of the quartet have long-term futures on Tyneside.
Wilson finished as Newcastle’s top goalscorer (8) in 2021/22 while Joelinton was named Newcastle Player of the Year, so Eddie Howe won’t be getting rid of either player. But with Wood scoring just two goals in 17 games last season while Gayle featured just eight times in the Premier League, a long-term replacement for the pair might be required.
Noel Whelan said on Tuesday that Newcastle should try to sign Emmanuel Dennis from Watford, telling Football Insider: “Newcastle are going to (lower league) teams and taking the best talent. I’m sure that Dennis would have a similar effect (as he did for Watford).”
The 24-year-old joined Watford on a five-year deal from Club Brugge last summer, setting the Hornets back only £3.6m. Dennis has gone on to make 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals with six assists.
The Nigerian international, who’s netted one goal in seven games for his country, bagged more than Wilson and had more assists than Allan Saint-Maximin (5) last season, so he’d improve the Newcastle attack.
Dennis would cost significantly more than £3.6m, however, with Watford requesting in excess of £20m, so Newcastle would be paying a markup. Howe doesn’t want a Newcastle tax on transfer targets, so time will tell if he greenlights a move.
