With finding the back of the net a struggle for Newcastle United this season, here are three affordable forward options that could help fire them to safety.
Newcastle United have struggled this season on their return from the Championship to the Premier League.
The club gained promotion at the first time of asking under the experienced Rafa Benitez. However, with the entire institution lacking funds for proper recruitment, the sub-par squad has not enjoyed the results they were hoping for after returning the top flight.
Newcastle’s striker problems are well known. Joselu and Ayoze Perez are the club’s top-scorers this season with four goals each in all competitions, while Aleksandar Mitrovic has struggled for minutes on the pitch and netting only twice so far.
The Toon currently sit three points above the drop zone in 15th and are by no means safe. Talk of proper recruitment has been widespread among fans this season, but they are also aware of the club’s tricky financial situation.
With the likes of bottom of the table Swansea City being linked with some big names in their bid for survival, Newcastle United may have to scrape together some money from somewhere to bring in some new faces of their own to avoid the danger of slipping down the table further themselves.
Dwight Gayle, the club’s third top scorer this season, has also been linked with a move away from St James’ Park this month which would leave Benitez’s squad a striker short.
Here are three affordable strike options for the Toon who have all enjoyed the scoring form that the Newcastle forwards have not.
Gary Hooper
The former Celtic man, 29, has finally rediscovered the deadly form that saw him earn a move from Scotland to the Premier League. Playing for Sheffield Wednesday, Hooper has netted 11 in 25 appearances this season and sits as one of the Championship’s top scorers.
A vintage goal-getter, Hooper has a knack for always popping up at the right moments. The Englishman may be exactly the type of player Newcastle need to convert the chances they create. With Carlos Carvalhal having left Wednesday for Swansea, and Hoopers’ side sitting 17th, the former Norwich player could well be keen on a move.
Martyn Waghorn
Martyn Waghorn, 27, has been mightily impressive this term with 10 goals and seven assists in the league so far. The Ipswich Town player, who began his career at Sunderland, bagged nearly a half century of goals for Rangers in 78 appearances before sealing a move back down south to Suffolk.
A real live wire, Waghorn may have what it takes to get Newcastle over the line and help convert defeats and draws into wins. Mid-table Ipswich are not particularly involved in the promotion race and could be a realistic and affordable option for Benitez.
Jarrod Bowen
Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen, 21, would not only be a short-term solution but also one for the future. The youngster signed from Hereford United in 2014 and made seven Premier League appearances before Hull were eventually relegated.
This season in the Championship Bowen has netted an impressive 11 goals and is part of the league’s top 10 scorers so far. Having only turned 21 in December, the youngster looks a real talent but his scoring form suggests he is one for now and not only for the future.
Nigel Adkins will want to retain his services for Hull, however, a call from Newcastle may be too tempting for the youngster to turn down.
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