Leeds United could now explore a deal to sign Chris Wood on loan from Newcastle United in January. Eddie Howe only bought him from Burnley in the last winter transfer window.
That is according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, who reports Howe is still keen to improve the Toon’s attacking options. The Magpies boss is hopeful of signing another goalscorer to pair with Callum Wilson and Aleksander Isak. He would also like a creative-minded option.
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So, it is possible that Wood could leave St James’ Park just a year after moving to Tyneside. Newcastle backed Howe in their first transfer window following their £305m Saudi-backed takeover to sign the New Zealander for £25m by triggering a release clause in his contract.
Howe felt Newcastle had to sign a striker last January after Wilson sustained a calf injury in December 2021. But Wood only fired two goals in 17 Premier League games before falling down the pecking order. Isak would join the Toon from Real Sociedad in August for £63m.
The Magpies’ club-record deal and Wilson’s return from injury have seen Wood struggle to get minutes so far this season. He played 14 top-flight fixtures before the World Cup. But the 31-year-old only started in two, has played a combined 264 minutes and scored once.
Leeds could explore a loan transfer with Wood’s future at Newcastle uncertain
So, Jacobs suggests Wood could now leave Newcastle over the upcoming January transfer window with Leeds a potential landing spot. But Jesse Marsch is unlikely to target the 70-cap forward in a permanent deal. Instead, the Whites would likely target just a loan move.
Wood penned an £80k-a-week contract running to June 2024 when he left Burnley for the Toon last January. The forward had spent four-and-a-half years at Turf Moor after leaving Leeds for the Clarets. He quit Elland Road in 2017 for £15m after 44 goals over 88 games.
Of Wood’s haul for Leeds, he scored 27 goals over 44 games in the 2016/17 Championship season. He would go on to net 53 in 165 games for Burnley with 49 in 144 Premier League games. But his impact at Newcastle has often been in his general play, rather than scoring.
Newcastle legend Les Ferdinand was full of praise for the initial impact Wood made after his move from Burnley in how he offered Howe a focal point, despite rarely netting them a goal.
“He has been tremendous since he has gone in there,” Ferdinand said, via Chronicle Live. “Getting hold of the ball, shrugging people off and keeping the ball up there, which wasn’t happening for Newcastle. The ball was going forward and it was coming straight back.
“Now, he is their focal point. The ball is going into him and he is able to hold people off and bring people into the game as a traditional number nine, that is what your job is.”
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