Newcastle United<\/a>‘s season starts now, and supporters are anxious about their side’s prospects in the Premier League<\/a>, considerably weakened after slumping to a 12th-place finish last term.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It proved the end of the line for Eddie Howe, who swerved a sacking but ultimately broke from his contract at St. James’ Park following the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.<\/p>\n Much has been made of the Magpies’ midfield fragilities, and that is an issue that still needs fixing. However, Newcastle have also been shaken in attack, with the likes of Yoane Wissa<\/a> and Nick Woltemade<\/a> now required to stand up after taking cover for much of the 2025\/26 campaign.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Toward the end of last season, it looked like either Wissa or Woltemade could have been shipped on this year, maybe both.<\/p>\n Woltemade started so strongly, looking the part after arriving for a club-record \u00a369m fee one year ago. He tapered away and scored only one Premier League goal after Christmas (in the penultimate game of the year, a 3-1 over West Ham).<\/p>\n Wissa was up against it from the off; signed only after Newcastle failed to sign any number of top targets in attack, the DR Congo striker fell to a concerning injury on international duty before he had kicked a ball for the Toon, and he never came close to recovering the kind of from that drew so many plaudits while at Brentford.<\/p>\n Neither managed to effectively replace Alexander Isak following his record-breaking transfer to Liverpool, and now, with Gordon having joined Barcelona for \u00a369m, they need to step up – not least because Gordon’s replacement is Bazoumana Toure, a 20-year-old winger from Hoffenheim.<\/p>\n Woltemade started strongly last season, so dynamic and deft on the ball. When confidence is on his side, he is a fierce finisher, with a 25% conversion rate in the Premier League last season. That’s an excellent rate; the issue is that he didn’t strike on goal enough, averaging one shot a game.<\/p>\n By contrast, Wissa was far too wasteful, scoring one goal for Newcastle in the league. He missed six big chances. With Gordon now gone, Newcastle need to bring over a new component in attack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Newcastle struggled to score goals in the Premier League last season, and the sale of Guimaraes will have done little to ease that.<\/p>\n Wissa and Woltemade will be expected to step up and perform, but according to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are still searching for ways to improve in attack, with Christopher Nkunku<\/a> emerging as a late-window target. The transfer guru claims that the Toon have been “calling” for the AC Milan attacker.<\/p>\n Another name to watch remains Christopher Nkunku. Newcastle are calling, but the player is giving priority to a return to Red Bull Leipzig as a possibility.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n Newcastle need a striker, and Nkunku could be the dynamic option to help them on their way. Indeed, the France international could be available for only \u00a330m<\/a>, with Milan looking to sell, but the fact that he is more hopeful to return to Leipzig will strike a familiar sense of anxiety into the bellies of Toon supporters.<\/p>\n The former Chelsea forward flattered to deceive when last in the Premier League. Nkunku, 28, also endured something of a tough 2025\/26 campaign in Serie A, only starting 15 matches. Still, he scored seven goals and supplied three assists.<\/p>\n Christopher Nkunku – Career Stats by Position<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n Position<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Apps<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Goals + Assists<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n Centre-forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 130<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 57 + 26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Attacking midfield<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 66<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 28 + 21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Central midfield<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 63<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 10 + 8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Left winger<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 52<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 11 + 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Right winger<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 8 + 5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n Still, he has reached superstar heights in the past, and such versatility in attack could allow him to contest with Woltemade and Wissa for a starting berth while serving alongside them at times too.<\/p>\n Nkunku’s silky and stylish nature could be perfect for Jaissle’s intense attacking system. Former coach Achim Beierlorzer once remarked that he should be “considered as a world-class player<\/a>” when in his Bundesliga heyday. Before signing for Chelsea, Nkunku posted 58 goals and 29 assists across two campaigns in Germany. Astonishing numbers.<\/p>\n Wissa and Woltemade simply haven’t hit those heights, and as he is still in the prime of his career, a move to Tyneside, where he can become a talisman, could be the perfect move for him.<\/p>\n Newcastle cannot afford to fall by the wayside once again this year. Wissa and Woltemade were poor last year, and entrusting them with focal roles after Gordon’s sale would be a risk.<\/p>\n In Nkunku, Newcastle could secure for themselves a new star of the show.<\/p>\n\n Why this is a big year for Wissa and Woltemade<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n![\"Y](\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/y-wissa.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2\"\/)
\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n Newcastle calling to sign \u00a330m forward<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n![\"christopher-nkunku-ac-milan\"](\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mixcollage-17-aug-2026-01-11-pm-2563.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2\"\/)
\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Daniele Mascolo<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n
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