The January transfer window is often a time of intense speculation and hope for football fans, and for those following Newcastle United, the latest name to resurface is a familiar one.
Alexander Sørloth, the towering Norway international currently playing for Atletico Madrid, is reportedly available for a move this month. While the striker’s career has seen him travel across Europe, his recent goal-scoring record suggests he has finally found his rhythm at the highest level.
However, despite the obvious need for more firepower at St James’ Park, Newcastle’s path to securing his signature is blocked by a very firm reality check from head coach Eddie Howe.
Sørloth is no stranger to the North East of England. He actually visited St James’ Park back in August during the Sela Cup, though he watched much of that match from the bench as his Atletico side cruised to a victory.
At the time, he was coming off a sensational debut season in Madrid where he netted 24 goals in all competitions. This followed an equally impressive stint at Villarreal where he scored 26 times.
Despite this elite production, his time under Diego Simeone this season has been inconsistent. He has started fewer than half of Atletico’s matches, yet he has still managed to contribute eight goals. It is this lack of guaranteed playing time that has reportedly made the 30-year-old open to a move away from the Spanish capital.
The price tag for a proven goalscorer of his stature is said to be around £30 million. While clubs like Juventus have been mentioned in the conversation, the most surprising interest has come from Serie A side Como, who are reportedly ready to meet that valuation.
For Newcastle fans, the idea of adding a physical presence like Sørloth is tempting. Many remember his difficult spell at Crystal Palace years ago where he failed to score in the Premier League, but his growth since then has been undeniable. He has become a respected marksman in Turkey, Germany, and Spain, proving that he can adapt to different styles of play.
| Season | Club | League Goals | Total Goals |
| 2023/24 | Villarreal | 23 | 26 |
| 2024/25 | Atletico Madrid | 20 | 24 |
| 2025/26 (Current) | Atletico Madrid | 6 | 8 |
Newcastle’s current situation makes the link even more logical on paper. The team’s attacking unit has struggled for consistency throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Summer recruits Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade have found life difficult on Tyneside and are yet to get off the mark this year.
The recent goalless draw against a struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers side was a perfect example of the team’s frustrations; they controlled the ball but lacked the “killer instinct” in the box to turn a stalemate into a victory.
However, Eddie Howe has been very direct in shutting down the possibility of bringing in a new striker this winter. In recent press conferences, Howe has defended his current options, pointing out that Woltemade and Wissa offer different attributes and that he remains proud to lead the group he has.
While he admitted that the attacking output in recent away games has not been good enough, he believes the solution must come from within the current squad rather than the transfer market.
The primary reason for this stance is not a lack of ambition, but a lack of “financial ability.” Howe was incredibly candid when asked if the club would look for attacking reinforcements, stating quite simply that the budget does not allow for it at this stage.
This highlights the ongoing battle Newcastle faces with financial regulations, even with the backing of wealthy owners. The club must be careful with its spending to avoid long-term penalties, which means that even a striker as prolific as Sørloth is currently out of reach.
For now, Newcastle must find a way to reignite the confidence of their existing forwards. The message from the manager is clear: there are no “magic fixes” coming through the door in January.
The fans may look at Sørloth’s availability with a sense of “what if,” but the focus inside the dressing room remains on improving the players already in the building. As the deadline approaches, it seems the Magpies will have to rely on grit and tactical improvements rather than a £30 million blockbuster signing to save their season.
