Contact made: Newcastle and PIF now move to sign fast well-rounded striker compared to Gyokeres

Newcastle United have stepped up their search for a new striker as transfer rumours swirl around Alexander Isak’s future, and it seems the Magpies have turned their attention to a forward drawing comparisons with Arsenal target Viktor Gyökeres.

Despite Eddie Howe’s reassurance that Isak is committed to the club, the noise around a possible exit—particularly to Liverpool or Saudi Arabia—has prompted Newcastle and their Saudi-backed owners to look for reinforcements up front.

Their pre-season campaign has already seen contrasting results, with a dominant win over Carlisle followed by a humbling 4-0 loss to Celtic. The absence of Isak at Celtic Park only intensified the speculation.

Eddie Howe admitted after the match that sending Isak home was a decision he made based on the uncertainty surrounding the player.

Although Isak had travelled with the squad to Glasgow, Howe decided it wasn’t appropriate for him to sit in the stands amid such intense transfer speculation.

He emphasized his confidence that Isak would still be at St James’ Park by the time the window closes. He also acknowledged the difficulty of offering total clarity over any player’s situation during this unpredictable period.

Nevertheless, Howe insisted that Isak is happy with life at Newcastle and enjoys being part of the team.

Even if Isak remains, Newcastle have no plans to sit still in the market. The club is actively exploring forward options, particularly following the likely departure of Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool.

With that move seemingly progressing, Newcastle have swiftly shifted their focus to another exciting French talent: Randal Kolo Muani.

According to reports from Foot Mercato, both Newcastle United and Manchester United have entered into discussions over signing the Paris Saint-Germain striker, who spent the latter half of the 2024–25 season on loan at Juventus.

Kolo Muani is being courted by several European sides, with Juventus keen to retain him after an impressive loan spell.

The Italian club is reportedly doing everything possible to convince the striker that his future lies in Turin. However, Newcastle have made their own case, believing that Kolo Muani’s combination of pace, technical ability, versatility, and international pedigree aligns perfectly with their ambitions.

Club insiders believe he could play a vital role in the ongoing project at St James’ Park and provide the squad with much-needed depth and dynamism up front.

Kolo Muani’s profile has caught the attention of analysts and scouts alike, with Football Transfers comparing him to several high-profile forwards.

Among those mentioned are Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, Bournemouth’s Evanilson, RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda, and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.

These comparisons underscore his unique blend of attacking attributes and tactical intelligence, making him one of the more complete strikers on the market.

During his stint at Juventus, Kolo Muani managed to score 10 goals and contribute three assists in just 22 appearances—a return that highlights his impact and consistency in a top European league.

His performances in Serie A have not gone unnoticed, and with both Newcastle and Manchester United expressing firm interest, the race to secure his signature is heating up.

For Newcastle, pairing Kolo Muani with Isak could prove a transformative step in their attacking evolution.

It would give Howe the flexibility to rotate or deploy a dual-striker system, something the club lacked depth for last season.

The potential of this French-Swedish partnership could light up the Premier League and give Newcastle the firepower needed to push further up the table and compete on multiple fronts.

As the summer window progresses, all eyes will remain on St James’ Park—not just for updates on Isak’s situation, but also for further developments on Newcastle’s pursuit of Kolo Muani.

With the Magpies keen to establish themselves as a dominant force in English and European football, their activity in the market signals clear intent. The weeks ahead may well shape the club’s trajectory for the upcoming campaign and beyond.