Newcastle now chasing one of the best striker in the world, he's like Wilson in his prime

As the Alexander Isak saga reaches its breaking point, Newcastle United have identified Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as the ideal candidate to lead their attack through a crucial Champions League campaign.

The Magpies’ pursuit of the England international represents more than just a replacement strategy – it’s a calculated move to acquire one of the Premier League’s most complete center-forwards at the peak of his powers.

Watkins’ profile offers Newcastle something distinct from both Isak’s technical brilliance and Callum Wilson’s penalty-box instincts.

Since his £28 million move from Brentford to Villa Park in 2020, the 29-year-old has refined his game into a devastating blend of physicality, intelligent movement, and creative link-up play.

His 75 goals in 184 Villa appearances only tell part of the story – what makes Watkins truly valuable is his ability to elevate entire attacking systems.

A comparative analysis of Watkins’ last season versus Wilson’s final full campaign at Newcastle reveals why Eddie Howe views the Villa striker as an upgrade rather than just a replacement:

Goal Contribution: 24 involvements (18 goals, 6 assists) vs Wilson’s 23
Progressive Play: 1.90 carries and 1.07 passes per 90 minutes (Wilson: 1.29 and 0.91)
Build-up Involvement: 72.4% pass accuracy on 10.6 completed passes per game
Aerial Presence: Wins 1.3 aerial duels per match at 42% success rate

These metrics paint the picture of a modern center-forward equally comfortable dropping deep to connect play as he is sprinting behind defenses.

Where Wilson specialized in ruthless efficiency inside the penalty area, Watkins offers Newcastle a multidimensional threat that could prove invaluable against Champions League opponents.

Why Watkins Fits Howe’s Evolution

Newcastle’s tactical evolution under Howe has seen them gradually shift from counter-attacking specialists to a side expected to break down packed defenses. Watkins’ skill set aligns perfectly with this progression:

Pressing Machine: His 21.7 pressures per 90 would supercharge Newcastle’s high-intensity approach
Channel Runner: Ability to stretch defenses complements Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon’s wing play
Link Play: Superior to both Isak and Wilson in connecting midfield and attack

The timing of this potential move adds another layer of intrigue. With the 2026 World Cup looming, Watkins has added motivation to maintain peak performance – a factor that could prove decisive in tight matches across multiple competitions.

The Villa Conundrum

Aston Villa’s precarious PSR position makes a major sale plausible, but negotiations won’t be straightforward.

Newcastle’s hierarchy knows they must act decisively to avoid being drawn into a protracted saga, especially with other clubs monitoring the situation.

The reported £50 million valuation reflects both Watkins’ importance to Villa and his proven Premier League pedigree.

For Howe, securing Watkins would represent more than just solving a striker shortage – it would signal Newcastle’s ability to attract elite Premier League talent despite recent setbacks.

In a summer where Chelsea hijacked João Pedro and Liverpool poached Hugo Ekitike, landing a center-forward of Watkins’ caliber would restore momentum to the Magpies’ project.

As the Isak era appears to end in acrimony, Newcastle have the opportunity to pivot to a different but equally effective attacking blueprint.

Watkins may not replicate the Swede’s technical flourishes, but his relentless intensity, aerial threat, and improving finishing could make him the perfect striker for Howe’s next phase. The coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle can turn this strategic vision into reality.