Things are going from bad to worse when it comes to Eddie Howe’s attacking options.
After a disastrous summer that saw the likes of striker targets Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap pass them by, Newcastle have started the new season without talisman Alexander Isak, who is insistent that he will never play for the club again as he tries to force a move to Liverpool.
It forced Howe to turn to natural winger Anthony Gordon, who started the first two games of the Premier League campaign leading the line. But following his needless straight red card against Liverpool on Monday night – coming through the back of Virgil van Dijk and raking his studs down the Dutchman’s shins – Newcastle will now be without Gordon for the next three games.
It’s slim pickings up top for the Magpies, and with the 1 September deadline fast approaching, time is running out for an outside solution to be found. With that in mind, here are all the forward options currently at Howe’s disposal.
William Osula
Newcastle’s only senior out-and-out centre forward, Osula looks set for a promotion from understudy following an influential cameo against Liverpool.
After smartly tucking away a late equaliser at St James’s Park, the Dane would’ve thought he’d salvaged his side a point before having his thunder stolen by 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha in the 100th minute.
Nevertheless, 22-year-old Osula, who signing from Sheffield United last summer for £15m, has proven he can rise to the occasion and could be in line for a brief run leading the line while options are so sparse.
Anthony Elanga
Out with the recognised strikers, in with the makeshift.
With depth in wingers being far less of an issue for Howe, the Magpies boss could instead opt to bring another natural wide player into the middle, as he has done with Gordon.
Enter Elanga. The Swede, who signed from Nottingham Forest this summer for £55m, has proved a thorn in the side of defences so far this season, with his electrifying pace one of standout assets.
He also has experience playing up front, albeit as a second striker alongside Forest bagsman Chris Wood.
Harvey Barnes
Another winger who could forced to move into a more unfamiliar position, Barnes is among Newcastle’s most regular on the scoresheet, at least when taking Isak out of the equation.
Barnes finished last season as the Magpies’ second top scorer with nine Premier League goals – just the 14 shy of his wantaway Swedish teammate, but second place is second place.
While rarely operated as a striker throughout his career, the former Leicester man could see his goalscoring capabilities called upon.
Jacob Murphy
See above for the winger to striker transition.
Murphy enjoyed a surprisingly influential season in 2024/25 on the right flank, notching an impressive eight goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
He’s been operated as an emergency striker before, particularly during Steve Bruce’s reign when Newcastle were particularly short of frontmen. Could we be about to see the same under Howe?
Joelinton
Now this would be a sign of serious desperation.
Newcastle fans love their Brazilian midfield powerhouse now, but lest we forget Joelinton was once considered an almighty flop following his club record £40m move from Hoffenheim in 2019, when he arrived on Tyneside as a striker.
In his dire debut season, he registered two goals and two assists in 38 Premier League appearances. New manager Howe would later convert him into his crusher role, where the Magpies would finally reap rewards from their investment, but it was rough going to start.
Joelinton picked up a groin injury so may be unavailable for the next three games anyway. If he is in contention, he technically qualifies as having experience as a striker. But surely, SURELY, Newcastle don’t regress.
Yoane Wissa/Jorgen Strand Larsen/ANYBODY!
Newcastle could shoehorn in a prospect, a winger, or a ghost of strikers past. Or, you know, they could just BUY SOMEONE.
All of the above would be basically inferior to the arrival of a proven striker, and a Premier League one at that.
Newcastle have had bids rejected for Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen, with clubs no doubt witnessing the turbulence on Tyneside and therefore seeing no need to lower their asking prices.
But if the Magpies do cough up the change before next Monday and get a transfer over the line (which has proved easier said than done this summer), that would be the obvious solution to their striker quandary.
