Victor Osimhen would instantly solve Newcastle’s attacking dilemma.
That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Jack Cunningham who views the Galatasaray striker as the perfect fit for Eddie Howe’s high press.
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The Nigerian has been perennially linked with a move to the Premier League since firing Napoli to Serie A glory in 2023.
Osimhen left Naples under a cloud 12 months later and despite issuing a ‘come get me’ plea to Premier League suitors, the striker wound up at Turkish giants Galatasaray.
A successful loan spell at the Istanbul club turned into a permanent deal last summer and despite the star feeling at home in his new surroundings, rumblings continue over a mega-money Premier League switch.
Not up to scratch
The Magpies have so far been left short-changed by their summer transfer business.
Huge investment went into the signings of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade who were brought in to fill the void of Alexander Isak.
The duo have mustered up just 13 goals between them so far this season in all competitions and in recent weeks, Howe has opted to start winger Anthony Gordon up top, leaving them both on the bench.
Wissa has yet to impress in a black and white shirt despite posting a 19-goal season for Brentford last term.
Woltemade, who offers versatility across the frontline, has shown glimpses of promise but is yet to find his place in Howe’s system.
In the latest episode of talkSPORT’s Inside the Toon show, Cunningham proposed the idea of a blockbuster summer swoop for Osimhen with Woltemade taking up a deeper role.
“If we’re going for this pressing style again, then I think you go out and you get a new striker in the summer,” Cunningham said.
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“The striker who I’m thinking about who has made more presses than anyone else is Victor Osimhen.
“Osimhen presses people more than any other striker. Against Juventus, he created three goals from pressing out the field.
“He’s 27, he got 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli. He’s got 52 goals for Galatasaray.
“He’s always wanted to play in the Premier League.
“He would be that one signing where other people would sit up and go, ‘wow.’”
Worth the investment
While the idea of Osimhen running out at St James’ Park is likely one to whet the appetite of the Toon Army, it would also likely provide a huge dent in the club’s finances.
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Osimhen’s wage demands of the past are believed to have deterred some clubs from making a move for him, however Cunningham believes the investment would be worth it in the long run.
“I’m assuming Newcastle would have to smash the wage structure but I think for a player like that and if you’re going to play pressing football – I think he averages 18 presses per game – then why on earth wouldn’t you break the bank for him,” he added.
“Get him in, make a statement. Give Eddie Howe that dream striker and then you put Woltemade in behind. I think you would be looking at something pretty special there.”
Asked if buying a striker should be a priority again for the Magpies this summer, Cunningham said: “If we’re going to play Woltemade as a No.10 then yes.”
“I can’t think of anyone better for pressing football than Osimhen. The stats show that he’s the best at it so get him. He’s a star.”
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