Newcastle are considering a move for former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge as the answer to Steve Bruce’s striker dilemma, according to the Daily Star.
The new Magpies head coach is known to be after another forward addition this summer following the club’s record purchase of TSG Hoffenheim ace Joelinton, and has discussed a potential Tyneside return for Andy Carroll with the United board after the £90,000-a-week target man’s release by West Ham United.
If Carroll were to make his long-speculated pilgrimage back to the North East, the perennially crocked striker would be expected to accept a pay-as-you-play deal, given he missed more fixtures through injuries than he featured in with the Irons.
Sturridge’s availability as a free agent following his Anfield axing by Jurgen Klopp likewise makes the ex-England international an interesting player for Bruce to consider, as he looks to add back the goals we lost through Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon’s departures.
The £130,000-a-week striker’s form has been deteriorating over the past few seasons however, as he too has been plagued by frequent injuries, much like fellow speculated player of interest Danny Welbeck.
Welbeck is another free agent believed to have been muted in discussions between the board and Bruce, although Toon chiefs are not expected to make a serious approach for either at present.
Each are believed to be longing for contracts north of £100,000-a-week, but Magpies executives are planning to err on the side of caution due to concerns over their continued fitness.
Another striker following our new number nine Joelinton to Newcastle cannot be ruled out until Deadline Day, though, as Bruce is keen to add depth to his strike force. United have also fielded several calls from agents offering their client’s services to us.
If the Magpies are to target any of the speculated free agents, Welbeck would be the most appealing candidate, given the £125,000-a-week forward would be able to occupy a number of attacking positions rather than offering Bruce a limited skill set.
Carroll has long been typecast as a striker to ping long balls and crosses to due to his aerial threat, but realistically offers little else. Sturridge, meanwhile, has lost the zip to his game that saw the Birmingham-born 29-year-old pen 22 goals alongside Luis Suarez as Liverpool narrowly missed out on a maiden Premier League crown in 2013/14.
Welbeck, though, often displayed his ability to act as a winger or centre-forward with Arsenal, which would be a welcome addition to our squad given the quality we currently boast on the flanks outside of Miguel Almiron.