Newcastle United welcome Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park for their opening Premier League game in just over a week and Eddie Howe doesn’t look likely to have a new striker signed in time, so he’ll have to stick with Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Joelinton.
The Magpies manager does still want a centre-forward before the summer transfer window shuts, but he’s been unsuccessful getting a move over the line. Deals for Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Ivan Toney have fallen through, so Kevin Campbell has recommended Timo Werner.
The 26-year-old has an uncertain future at Chelsea after struggling for goals and playing time last season, but Campbell believes he’d flourish at another club. When asked whether Newcastle should consider a move for Werner, he told Football Insider: “Werner is a very good player.
“The problem is, I think he needs a change. He needs to get out of that spotlight. He needs to go somewhere else. It may all turnaround and click for him once he does that. The spotlight at Chelsea might be too much for him.
“He gets into unbelievable positions. His movement and speed are a constant threat. The thing is, he just hasn’t been scoring the goals. His finishing has not taken off at Chelsea.”
The German international joined Chelsea on a five-year deal from RB Leipzig in 2020 and has gone on to make 89 appearances in all competitions, scoring 23 goals with 21 assists. Werner scored six goals from 35 Premier League games in 2020/21 and scored four goals from 21 league games in 2021/22, so he hasn’t been prolific in England.
Howe needs a proven goalscorer as Wood netted just twice in 17 games last season while Joelinton hasn’t managed more than four league goals in a campaign at Newcastle, so the Magpies should turn their attentions elsewhere.
In other news, Dean Jones says Newcastle are ‘keen’ to sell Allan Saint-Maximin
