Report: Newcastle now looking at signing striker with just three goals in 13 league appearances this season

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According to L’Equipe, Newcastle United are interested in signing RC Lens’ versatile forward Ignatius Ganago before the transfer window shuts this month.

The Magpies have already signed an out-and-out centre-forward in Chris Wood. Eddie Howe’s side forked out £25 million for the Burnley man (BBC), but the Toon boss is looking to bring in another attacker in the coming days.

Reims’ Hugo Ekitike has been heavily linked over the last week or so, but the Magpies’ bid hasn’t yet met the French club’s demands. That has held the deal up and it now looks like Newcastle have turned their attention to another player from the same league.

Ganago, who is currently at AFCON with Cameroon, is reportedly a target for the Magpies in this month’s window.

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Newcastle contact the agents of Ignatius Ganago

The report claims that Newcastle have contacted the agents of Ganago, who has scored just three goals in 13 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season.

The Cameroonian is a versatile forward, who can play anywhere across the frontline. He’s still only 22, but has already played a combined 100 senior club games in France for Nice and Lens over the last few years.

Howe is reportedly a big fan of Ganago’s versatility and experience at such a young age. As a result, contacts have been established with his representatives, but no talks have taken place between the two clubs just yet.

If a deal is to happen, it can only be sorted out once Ganago returns from AFCON, which may take a while considering how well they’ve played in the tournament so far.

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TBR View:

Newcastle are right to target young, talented players like Ganago for the future. However, they must focus on the present to get out of the hole they are currently in.

Ganago is a really talented forward who could become a star in a few years time. However, the young Cameroonian, if his numbers are anything to go by, is not the one who’ll come to St James’ Park and lead the Magpies to safety.

Just three goals in 13 league appearances is not a great record. He will likely struggle to even match those numbers in the Premier League if Newcastle get him in the coming days, which makes him a very risky signing.

Howe should focus on players who can come in and hit the ground running. Ganago, as talented as he is, is not that man at the moment and it makes very little sense for the Magpies to splash big money on him when they need to strengthen multiple other areas of their squad.

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