Eddie Howe has been working hard to sign a striker this summer, but Newcastle United haven’t managed to get a deal over the line for their preferred targets, so they may have to opt for lesser-fancied talent that won’t break the bank.

Clubs want the Magpies to pay over-the-odds for players due to their lucrative resources, but Howe isn’t sanctioning a big-money move. He’s content enough with Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Joelinton but recognises Wilson’s fitness woes, Wood’s lowly output and Joelinton’s toils in front of goal.

Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis was mentioned as a transfer target in the past and Read Newcastle suggested he could be a good acquisition after an impressive season with the Hornets. Well, Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports says Newcastle are still interested in the 24-year-old, so a move could be on the cards.

Dennis scored 10 goals with six assists in his maiden Premier League season for a Watford side that were eventually relegated, so he might thrive in a better side that create more chances – he still scored more than Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin. And with the Hornets in the Championship, they might have to cash in for cheap if Dennis is unwilling to play second tier football.

In other news, Matthew Bondswell called ‘great youngster’ after impressive pre-season