Lee Clark names the striker who’d be an ‘excellent signing’ for Newcastle, £20m reported price tag

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United cult hero Lee Clark has named Callum Wilson as a player who’d be an “excellent signing” for the Magpies, in conversation with Tribal Football.

Steve Bruce’s charges succeeded in securing Premier League survival last season but have flattered to deceive on the goal front, with just 38 goals scored in the league.

As for Wilson, he has been sensation for Bournemouth since joining in 2014, his 20 league goals the following season helping the Cherries to the top flight.

Since then, the 28-year-old has clocked up 67 goals and 30 assists in 187 competitive appearances for the south coast club.

However, Bournemouth’s stint in the Premier League came to an end last season as the Vitality Stadium side finished in 18th place.

According to a report in the Daily Star from earlier this week, Newcastle and West Ham are interested in the £60,000-a-week forward, but Tottenham Hotspur are said to be frontrunners.

Clark praised Wilson in his Tribal Football column and suggested that he’d be great for the Magpies, though he worries it wouldn’t be too straightforward a signing to make.

“Without a doubt Steve Bruce needs a striker,” wrote Clark.

“Someone with Premier League experience who has scored goals at that level on a regular basis. When I’m talking like that I’m talking about someone like Callum Wilson.

“I think he would be an excellent signing but obviously he’s not going to come cheap. Bournemouth are a financially strong football club and certainly won’t be letting one of their prized assets leave for cheap money.

“And that would mean – with the exception of the Joelinton deal – Mike (Ashley) would have to do something that he hasn’t really done in many previous windows and that is up the money.”

TBR View:

With no Newcastle player going into double figures for goals last season and Joelinton particularly disappointing on the scoring front, a new striker is of paramount importance at St James’ Park.

Wilson has shown he has what it takes to deliver in the Premier League, though with his contract running to 2023, the ball is very much in Bournemouth’s court – and a reported £20million plus price tag suggests just as much.

And with the Saudi-led consortium withdrawing its bid at the end of July, not to mention the impact of the global health crisis on the football industry, Newcastle reportedly have a “challenging” budget this summer as things stand (Chronicle Live).