Newcastle United look likely to be in the market for a new centre-forward this summer. The Magpies’ club-record signing of Nick Woltemade has failed to live up to expectations, as is the case for Yoane Wissa.
It cost the club a hefty £69m to bring Woltemade to St James’ Park from VfB Stuttgart last summer. Wissa wasn’t much cheaper, joining from Brentford in a £55m deal.
Neither frontman has filled the void left by Alexander Isak following his record-breaking £125m move to Liverpool last summer. That’s why the Tyneside giants seem keen to back Eddie Howe with a new number nine.
Mateta is the man
Newcastle are linked with Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke amid the North Londoners’ relegation battle. A potential deal for the English frontman could come at a reasonable price if the Lilywhites drop down to the EFL Championship.
Solanke does tick plenty of boxes for his former Bournemouth boss Howe. But he’s not the only option on the club’s shortlist.
A recent report suggested that Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta is also of interest, and he is expected to leave Selhurst Park in the summer.
Mateta is the profile of a striker the Magpies thought they were getting when signing Woltemade. A big target man holds the ball up superbly and certainly knows where the back of the net is.
| Mateta (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 23 |
| Goals: | 8 |
| Expected goals (xG): | 11.97 |
| Scoring frequency (in mins): | 239min |
| Goals per game: | 0.3 |
| Total shots: | 2.3 |
| Shots on target per game: | 1.1 |
| Ground duels won: | 1.6 (33%) |
| Aerial duels won: | 2.5 (41%) |
Howe has a preference for players who have Premier League experience, and the Frenchman has just that. He’s been with the Eagles since early 2022 and has grown into one of the most highly-rated forwards in the top-flight.
Mateta failed a medical ahead of a proposed £30m move to AC Milan in January, and the Serie A giants pulled the plug. A knee issue surfaced, and it’s prevented him from appearing for the South Londoners since returning after his transfer collapsed.
The 28-year-old is set to return to full fitness, potentially this week, and might be playing his final months as a Palace player. He will have a year left on his contract this summer, and he pushed for the exit door in the winter.
Woltemade benefits
Mateta would be a much-needed addition to Howe’s frontline, which is crying out for a proven Premier League goalscorer. Targeting a young prospect isn’t the solution because of the risk involved.
The French striker could benefit Woltemade if he were to arrive at St James’ Park. The 24-year-old will be able to learn from one of English football’s most dominant number nines.
The German hasn’t been as bad as many make out, although the club’s decision to make him their record signing looks a rash one. He’s managed 11 goals and four assists in 46 games across competitions and could do with learning from someone like Mateta.
