With strikers being one of Newcastle’s main priorities this window, they have recently been linked with another – Karl Toko Ekambi of Villareal.
The Parisian-born Cameroon international has been linked away to a few clubs in the Premier League this window – including West Ham – with Le10 Sport stating that the Spanish club are demanding £21m for the 27-year-old.
There has been just one goal from a Newcastle striker in the 22 Premier League games so far and that was Joelinton against Spurs back in August.
Toko Ekambi hasn’t quite been prolific so far this campaign, but his six goals and two assists from 18 league games is something which the Magpies could really do with for the second half of the season.
The Chronicle tweeted about the rumours, stating that Villareal’s price tag was around £23m for the forward, and they were met with a pretty varied response.
As you can read below, some think he is worth taking a punt on, while others think his age being 27 is a bit of a turn-off.
Here are some replies…
Not exactly a prolific goal scorer is he.
— Stuart Pearce (@stuart_pearce) January 16, 2020
23M for 27 years old. You know what’s mean for Mike
— Ginkoh_NUFC (@Ginkohro) January 16, 2020
Impressive stats but the powers that be will solely look at his age and his sell on value and never go for it.
— Chris Black (@ChrisBlack10) January 16, 2020
If charnley can knock them down to £18m then it could be a goer.
— thereal andrew young (@temperamentalan) January 16, 2020
Take him. Could actually do well in this system
— Jase (@AngrycatJ) January 16, 2020
I would get him 100%
— ShelveyGoat (@ShelveyGoat) January 16, 2020
While many fans would have taken 26 points after 22 games bearing in mind the turbulent times over the summer, they are still far from safety with Villa being just five points behind them in the relegation zone.
Teams from the bottom are all picking up points so a few more losses and they could find themselves amongst the bottom – this is why sourcing a striker who knows where the net is will be deemed a very important task.