With the new Premier League campaign coming into view the transfer market is heating up nicely and clubs north and south are searching for that most valuable commodity…a goal-scoring striker.
Newcastle United have a rich history of centre forwards, dating back to the legendary Number Nine Jackie Milburn, through to Malcolm MacDonald in the 1970s, Alan Shearer 20 years later and last season the Swedish sensation Alexander Isak. But, following the departure of Callum Wilson on the expiry of his contract, boss Eddie Howe is on the hunt for another striker to challenge and compliment Isak.
The Geordies are casting their net wider having missed out on Brazilian star Joao Pedro who has moved from Brighton and Hove Albion to Chelsea. So now, according to the Premier League 2025 news in the UK, Newcastle are considering a move for Aston Villa’s top striker Ollie Watkins. Now 29 years of age, the England man is in his prime and, with 75 goals in 184 appearances for the Villans he has proved himself to be a top Premier League striker. Another name on the radar is Everton centre forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has just become a free agent and he is more of a like-for-like cover for Isak, whereas Watkins will surely want a starting place.
The Magpies have already agreed a fee of £55m for Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Antony Elanga and, once that is completed the search for a striker will step up.
Is Madueke Arsenal bound?
London’s big clubs are jostling for position already and it looks like Arsenal’s hunt for a potent forward may soon be over with not one, but two goal scorers coming through the door at the Emirates. The Gunners are inching ever closer to the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon and they may soon be able to add another hit-man to the group.
For Arsenal, buying a striker is much like waiting for a London Bus; you wait an age for one and then two come along at the same time!
The new name in the frame is Chelsea forward Noni Madueke. The 23-year-old is able to play on the wing or through the middle, scoring 13 goals in 67 games for the Blues, many from the bench, and he has already picked up seven England caps. Madueke has impressed at Stamford Bridge since his transfer from PSV Eindhoven two years ago but the Blues have been spending freely (again) and will need to offload some players to stay (broadly) in line with financial fair play. With the arrival of Liam Delap as well as Pedro, Chelsea have strengthened in the creative unit and Arsenal, who have always been keen on Madueke are now ready to make a move. The latest SBOTOP
Premier League 2025 betting odds say the Gunners are one of the teams capable of winning the crown next season and if they can finally get their front line right then this could be their year.
Another Chelsea player who could be on the move is forward Christopher Nkunku who has struggled with injury during his time in West London and hasn’t really had a chance to impose himself. Inter Milan are reported to be tracking the situation and if Mehdi Taremi leaves I Nerazzurri as suspected then Nkunku could be an ideal replacement. The 27-year-old has been with the Blues at the Club World Cup and may well feature in the final… and then we’ll see where he goes from there.
Brentford in a fight to keep their stars
While clubs elsewhere are working hard to recruit strikers, Chelsea’s near neighbours Brentford, are in danger of losing one or more of their prize assets following the departure of manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are one of the teams circling and, after cooling their interest in Bryan Mbeumo, they have turned their attention to his strike partner Yoane Wissa. The Bees wouldn’t be happy to lose both strikers and Manchester United are currently pursuing Mbeumo so it may be a waiting game for all three clubs involved.
Mbeumo is valued in excess of £60m while the 29-year-old Wissa just has a year left on his contract and would cost less. But the Bees would make a profit on the £7m they paid for Wissa back in 2021.
Brentford have already resigned themselves to the departure of captain Christian Norgaard after he agreed a deal to move to Arsenal. The 31-year-old defensive midfielder has been with the Bees since 2019 and has been with the club every step of the way to becoming an established Premier League side.
If Brentford continue to lose their key men then next season could turn out to be a real struggle.
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