Newcastle in talks to sign ‘one of the world’s best’

The summer transfer window was a huge one for Newcastle United, but for the wrong reasons, as Alexander Isak dug his heels in and pushed for a move away from the club.

The Swedish international, who netted 27 goals across all competitions last season, even refused to train and handed in a transfer request to secure a transfer from St James’ Park.

Such a move saw huge criticism directed the 26-year-old’s way, but he would ultimately get his wish and secured a £125m transfer to Premier League rivals, Liverpool.

As a result, a huge focus was placed on the hierarchy to try and replace Isak’s goals to avoid a huge drop off in league standing during the 2025/26 campaign.

However, the board’s failure to replace the talisman has become evident by the current 13th-placed standing, something which Eddie Howe will want to rectify next term.

Newcastle enter talks to sign leading European talisman

Over the last couple of days, Newcastle have become one of a number of clubs who have entered talks with Portuguese side Sporting CP over a move for striker Luis Suárez.

The Colombian international has taken his career to the next level throughout 2025/26, subsequently scoring 36 times in 51 appearances after arriving from Almeria last summer.

Any deal would be yet another mammoth one for the Magpies this window, as his current employers are demanding a fee in the region of £52m for his signature.

Suarez isn’t the only player currently in the hierarchy’s sights ahead of the summer window, with Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović another option being considered.

According to Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, Howe’s side have already entered talks with the player’s representatives over the possibility of a transfer to Tyneside during this summer’s window.

The report states the Serbian international is out of contract at the end of the season and could well leave on a free transfer if no new deal is agreed between the player and the club.

Fellow Premier League side Chelsea are also said to be interested in signing the 26-year-old, but no indication has been given over the player’s preferred destination.

Why Vlahovic move would be bad news for Woltemade

In an attempt to soften the blow of Isak’s departure, the Newcastle hierarchy spent a reported £69m on the signature of German talisman Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.

After netting 17 goals in 33 appearances last term, whilst also starring at the U21 Euros, such a move for the 24-year-old was seen as a shrewd piece of business.

However, it’s safe to say the 2025/26 campaign has been one to forget for the forward, who’s only managed to find the net seven times in the Premier League.

In recent months, Woltemade has even been utilised in a box-to-box midfield and number ten role as Howe tries to get the best out of the club-record addition.

He’s undoubtedly failed to emulate the levels produced by Isak on Tyneside, which could see the club once again delve into the transfer market this summer.

Therefore, a deal for Vlahovic could be a possibility for the Magpies, with Howe’s side potentially securing a top-level talent in their pursuit of a new talisman.

The Serbian may have only netted 10 goals in 24 appearances this term, but he has a proven pedigree of producing the goods on a consistent basis.

He’s netted double figures in each of the last seven seasons at Juventus and Fiorentina, subsequently joining the former of the two sides for a staggering £66m back in January 2022.

Such quality has led to Italian legend Luca Toni labelling Vlahovic as “one of the best strikers in the world” – highlighting the quality of player the Magpies could land on a free transfer.

His underlying stats from this campaign also demonstrate his all-round quality within attacking areas – with such a move undoubtedly pushing Woltemade down the pecking order.

The 26-year-old has registered 1.7 shots on target per 90 in Serie A this campaign – with such a tally ranking him in the top 5% of all attackers in the division.

His tally of 7.3 touches in the opposition box per 90 showcases his fox-in-the-box type instincts, but also ranks him in the top 10% of players in Europe this season.

Both of the aforementioned tallies are higher than those produced by Woltemade, with Vlahovic undoubtedly a more clinical and deadly option in front of goal.

His tally of 2.4 aerials won per 90 also makes him a superb target man, with Howe’s side able to rely on the Serbian international when needing to get the side out of trouble.

It’s not often a player of Vlahovic’s quality becomes available on a free transfer, but it’s crucial the Magpies work tirelessly this summer to avoid missing out on his signature.

Woltemade may feel hard done by with any transfer this summer, but ultimately, the industry is cutthroat and the board need to pull out all the stops to secure a European return next season.