Newcastle 'looking for two forwards' within £70m budget at St James' Park

Newcastle United are targeting both a striker and a wide forward this summer before the transfer window slams shut, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

Eddie Howe is continuing to put his mark on the Magpies’ first team during the current break with the 2022-23 season just weeks away.

Many were prepared for the North East giants to go crazy this summer with the backing of their Saudi Arabian owners in place for their first pre-season. 

But it has been a cautious approach employed so far. Matt Targett has made his loan move from Aston Villa permanent while centre-back Sven Botman and goalkeeper Nick Pope have joined from Lille and Burnley respectively. 

Total spending at St James’ Park currently sits at just £59 million for the summer but they continue to be linked with attacking reinforcements. 

Harvey Barnes is the latest to be linked with a transfer, with Leicester City demanding £50 million for their academy product. 

Jones understands that Newcastle are on the lookout for two new forwards this summer, one to play through the middle and one to occupy a wide role. 

But the transfer insider says the budget for the duo is not likely to be higher than £70 million, likely ruling out a number of rumoured targets including Barnes.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “From what I understand, they’re looking for two forwards, one a wide forward and one a centre forward, and I don’t think the budget is going to be much more than £70 million for those two players combined. So to spend £50 million on Harvey Barnes wouldn’t really fit with what I’ve been hearing about budgeting.”

With Jones reporting that the Magpies do not plan to spend more than £70 million on the two transfers, it likely limits their potential options. 

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