Newcastle United need strikers. Not one, not a stop-gap, but two proper centre-forwards to lead the line. That was already obvious, but it’s been thrown into sharper focus by Alexander Isak’s situation. Unsettled by Liverpool’s interest, he has effectively gone on strike to force a move. What should have been a summer about adding depth is now a scramble to replace the club’s talisman – regardless of whether he remains at the club now or not.
The market hasn’t been kind. Despite growing confidence a deal could be done, Newcastle United have been quoted £60 million for Yoane Wissa, who has since now gone on strike for the second time this summer at Brentford to push his own move. Fans are understandably cooling on the idea of paying over the odds for a player forcing his way out, much as Isak is doing to us. But Wissa’s saga is just the latest twist in what has been a bruising window.
The club have already lost out on multiple targets: Liam Delap and João Pedro went to Chelsea, Hugo Ekitike joined Liverpool, and Benjamin Šeško moved to Manchester United. Each one represented an opportunity to reshape the forward line, and each one slipped away. That leaves Newcastle in a position they never wanted to be in, chasing solutions, short on time, and with the whole league knowing they’re desperate.
With that context, it’s worth asking: what kind of striker should Newcastle go for now? Two very different profiles stand out as potential answers: Ollie Watkins and Nick Woltemade.
Ollie Watkins – proven Premier League reliability
Watkins has become one of the safest bets in the Premier League. He isn’t the most glamorous forward, but he produces, and consistently. In 24/25, he delivered:
- 0.55 goals and 0.28 assists per 90
- 0.83 goal contributions per 90, among the league’s top forwards
His style is well known: he runs channels, stretches backlines, and keeps defenders constantly occupied. He’s not a creator and won’t offer much in build-up, but as a reliable runner and penalty-box finisher he brings security and experience, qualities Newcastle badly need in a transition summer.
Watkins’ heat map 24/25:
Watkins’ 24/25 goal map:
Tactical fit
Watkins offers Eddie Howe something close to Callum Wilson 2.0: a striker who presses aggressively, runs in behind, and finishes at a steady clip. He would immediately slot into a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 as the lone forward, leading the press and occupying centre-backs. He’s not a link player, but with Gordon and Elanga around him, his vertical runs would open space for Newcastle’s wingers.
Nick Woltemade – the gamble with upside
At 23, Woltemade is the wildcard. His 24/25 Bundesliga numbers are eye-catching:
- 0.67 goals per 90
- 2.05 key passes and 4.38 shot-creating actions per 90 (both 95th percentile)
- 8.8 touches in the opposition box per 90 – elite by any measure
Woltemade is not polished. He can be wasteful in possession, loose under pressure, and his defensive contribution is limited. But he offers something rare: a forward who can both finish in the box and create chances for others. His blend of size, technical quality, and penalty-box instincts make him one of the most intriguing young strikers in Europe.
Woltemade’s heat map 24/25:
Woltemade’s 24/25 goal map:
Tactical fit
Woltemade profiles as a false nine or second striker. His willingness to drop into the left half-space would allow Newcastle to vary their attack, with Gordon or Elanga running beyond him. In a two-striker system, he could be the foil, creating and linking while a more direct finisher, (like Watkins, or a Gordon and Elanga cutting inside) attacks the box. He’s also tall and mobile enough to act as a pressing forward, though his defensive stats show this isn’t yet a strength. Certainly an area he would likely improve in under the watchful eye of Eddie Howe.
What the radar makes clear is that Watkins and Woltemade aren’t the same type of forward. Watkins offers steady shot volume and assists, while Woltemade edges him in goals per 90 and dominates the creative and buildup metrics. That means they can play separately, leading the line in different ways, or even together, with Watkins stretching defences and Woltemade dropping in to link play. Far from overlapping, their qualities complement each other perfectly.
Why Newcastle would benefit from both
The radar comparison underlines it: Watkins and Woltemade aren’t competing for the same role, they’re complementary.
- Watkins brings reliable shot volume, steady output, and the relentless running that stretches Premier League defences. He’s the runner-finisher who thrives on space and movement.
- Woltemade offers a different skillset, dropping off to link play, threading passes, and still arriving in the box with elite positioning. He’s the creator-finisher, a hybrid forward who elevates those around him.
Crucially, they can both play separately or together. Watkins can lead the line in a direct, transition-heavy setup. Woltemade can operate as a false nine or second striker in a more possession-focused game. And when paired, their strengths dovetail: Watkins pushing defences back with his runs, Woltemade knitting the attack and slipping into the spaces Watkins creates.
For Eddie Howe, that tactical flexibility is priceless. It means Newcastle wouldn’t just be signing two strikers, they’d be adding two very different tools to solve different types of games. In a season where depth and adaptability will decide whether Newcastle compete properly, Watkins and Woltemade together aren’t a luxury, they’re the reset button the attack desperately needs.
The verdict
Newcastle can’t afford to drift through another transfer window while key players force exits and rivals hoover up the best young strikers. The reality is that the club are running out of options. Watkins and Woltemade represent two very different answers to the same problem, and the truth is that both are required.
Paying £60 million for Wissa in the middle of his own strike saga would be madness. The smarter play is clear: rebuild with one forward who can deliver now and another who could be transformational in the years ahead.
Two strikers, two profiles, two tactical systems. One solution.
