Newcastle tipped to spend ‘massive fee’ on Wood’s replacement

Eddie Howe wants to sign a striker this summer to compete with Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Chris Wood for a starting place, but Paddy Kenny believes they’ll have to pay a premium to sign a prolific centre-forward.

Wood was signed from Burnley in January to fire Newcastle to safety, but he managed only two goals in 17 games, so it makes sense to sign an upgrade if Howe isn’t fully trusting of his other attacking options.

Wilson has endured lengthy injuries in his two years at Newcastle and can’t be relied upon for a full season while Joelinton hasn’t managed more than four Premier League goals in a season yet, so a new face may be preferred over the trio.

Kenny warned Newcastle how much such a player will cost, telling Football Insider: “I think Newcastle have to be looking at someone who will get them 15 to 20 goals next season – that guy who is going to take the chances players like Chris Wood won’t.

“But those players don’t come cheap, look at Liverpool spending £80million on Darwin Nunez. That’s a guy who has essentially had one good season. So they have to spend a massive fee, Newcastle. They don’t have a choice.”

Wilson netted eight goals in the league last season and finished atop of Newcastle’s scoring charts, so Howe can’t be blamed for wanting more firepower. But he’s made it clear all summer that he won’t pay over the odds for a transfer target, so Newcastle supporters may have to temper their expectations.

Would it be foolish to go into next season with only Wilson, Joelinton and Wood?

In other news, Jeff Hendrick and Ciaran Clark leave Newcastle