When it comes to injuries, Newcastle United has been one of the unluckiest teams this season. Eddie Howe would have known how tough it would be to combine Premier League and Champions League games, but even he will be surprised at the toll it has taken on his players.
When the January transfer market opens, the Magpies may have little choice but to act, and one specific forward might arrive to give some much needed offensive depth at St James’ Park, with Callum Wilson the most recent player to be ruled out.
Newcastle transfer news
Newcastle appear to have made the incorrect decision during the summer transfer window, bringing in a midfielder in the form of Sandro Tonali, who has since been banned for 10 months for betting violations, as well as a winger in the form of Harvey Barnes, who is not a center striker. They failed to pay attention to those in command of the attacking line.
Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are both good alternatives, but Wilson’s injury history is concerning enough to necessitate another forward addition. With the newest Newcastle injury reports indicating that both strikers are now injured, Howe and co will be regretting their summer transactions.
The January transfer window, on the other hand, allows PIF to learn from their mistakes, and sources suggest they’re not messing about this time.
According to reports in Brazil, Newcastle are poised to make a January approach of €18 million (£15.75 million) for Marcos Leonardo, who has impressed for Santos this season. Real Madrid is also said to be interested in the forward, but only the Magpies are expected to make an offer at this time.
Leonardo is a “natural goalscorer”
Leonardo, who is still only 20 years old, has a bright future ahead of him, with the world at his feet in January. Continuing to assist Santos in avoiding relegation in the Brasileiro Serie A, the forward might possibly leave his current club as a hero in the winter window, with his 13 goals this season playing a significant role. What’s more, when compared to Wilson and Isak’s figures from last season, Leonardo shows a player who is already capable of competing with Champions League strikers.
| Player | Goals | Assists | Progressive Carries | Progressive Passes |
| Marcos Leonardo | 13 | 2 | 38 | 44 |
| Callum Wilson | 18 | 5 | 27 | 19 |
| Alexander Isak | 11 | 1 | 44 | 51 |
Given the figures, it’s no wonder that the Santos attacker has received a lot of acclaim in recent months, including from Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, who wrote on X: “20 years of age. Goalscorer by nature. A bright future awaits.”
Newcastle may be wise to make a deal as early as January, before Leonardo establishes himself elsewhere in Europe. The Magpies desperately need another option to lead the line, which the 20-year-old has the potential to be.
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