Former Premier League owner Simon Jordan admits he’d be ‘gobsmacked’ if Newcastle United manage to snatch Chris Wood from relegation rivals Burnley in the January transfer window, speaking to talkSPORT (11 January, 12pm).
When Newcastle came calling for James Tarkowski in December, Burnley wasted little time in making it clear that their much-coveted England international would not be going anywhere in the winter.
Not least to a club sitting just behind Sean Dyche’s side in the Premier League table, grabbing desperately at claret-and-blue coattails.
If the rumours are true and Chris Wood has a release clause in his contract, however, there is very little Burnley can do to stop their first-choice centre-forward defecting midway through a nail-biting campaign if Newcastle opt to trigger it.
Could Chris Wood leave Burnley for Newcastle?
The Telegraph reported over the weekend that Newcastle are lining up a shock move for Dyche’s £15 million record-signing.
Wood is hardly the sort of marquee signing Newcastle fans were dreaming of this month but beggars cannot be choosers.
And, as links with the likes of Kieran Trippier, Lucas Digne and Aaron Ramsey are anything to go by, the Magpies appear to be prioritising proven, battlescarred Premier League performers capable of adapting immediately to life at St James’ Park.
Furthermore, signing Wood would not only strengthen Newcastle’s attacking options, it would also severely weaken Burnley’s, hobbling Dyche’s ankles like poor Paul Sheldon.
Misery indeed.
“It’s a double whammy,” says Jordan, the former Crystal Palace owner. “It not only advantages one (Newcastle), it disadvantages the other (Burnley).
“They won’t want to sell. I’d be gobsmacked if they find a clause in Chris Wood’s contract to release him.”
Newcastle were forced to field Allan Saint-Maximin in an ill-fitting number nine role during Saturday’s humiliating FA Cup defeat to Cambridge United, having lost talismanic top-scorer Callum Wilson until March.
The Magpies have reportedly sent scouts to watch Basel hitman Arthur Cabral with Patrik Schick and Ligue 1 wonderkid Hugo Ekitike also on their radar.
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