After making a slow start in front of goal this season, Newcastle United are reportedly ready to launch a 2026 move to sign a £40m+ striker who just humiliated Real Madrid.
Newcastle’s goalscoring problem
It’s only natural that Newcastle are struggling in front of goal. They just lost one of the best strikers in the Premier League for a record deal in Alexander Isak. Replacing the Swede’s output was never going to be an easy task, but replacing his underrated creativity has so far proven to be even tougher.
Whilst Nick Woltemade has so far ticked the box for goals on his own – scoring three goals in his first four Premier League games – the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga have still struggled to contribute around him.
PL stats 25/26
Woltemade
Gordon
Elanga
Minutes
392
269
329
Goals
3
0
0
Assists
0
0
0
In total, Newcastle have scored six Premier League goals. Only Nottingham Forest and bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers have managed less and there’s no denying that it’s a problem that Eddie Howe must solve.
That said, the manager is far from panicking, having told reporters earlier this season: “I’m excited by the team we can be. We have certainly got things to learn about each other and formulas to try and generate that we know will work.
“The biggest thing is the foundation is solid. The team’s playing at strength, but we’re just missing that X-factor that I think will come. With the players that we have, some are guaranteed goals and have done that historically.”
What could certainly help find that “X-factor” is the January transfer window. After such a chaotic summer, the Magpies are reportedly ready to go again in the hope of boosting their attacking options even further this winter.
Newcastle readying Sorloth offer
According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now readying an offer to sign Alexander Sorloth from Real Madrid in a deal worth €50m (£44m). The Atletico Madrid forward has started just three La Liga games so far this season and may be forced to look elsewhere for consistent game time in the near future.
Newcastle should be well aware of the 29-year-old’s situation after sending scouts to watch him in action against Real Madrid as he scored the equalising goal in a 5-2 thrashing of Atletico’s rivals.
Whether Diego Simeone and the Atletico sanction Sortloth’s exit in 2026 is the big question.
The iconic manager was full of praise for the forward when he scored the fastest hat-trick in La Liga history against Real Sociedad last season, saying: “I was very happy with the team’s first half in general.
“Alex, of course, is a whole different matter. He had a fantastic night, especially those first 45 minutes, where he decisively finished every ball that came his way.”
If there is a chance for Newcastle, then turning towards Sorloth wouldn’t be a bad idea. He’s a proven striker at the top level these days and has unfinished business in the Premier League after previous struggles at Crystal Palace.
