Al-Rumayyan in talks to sign £65m “nuisance” for Newcastle, he’s a big Gordon upgrade

The atmosphere at St. James’ Park on Monday night was a powerful mix of passion and frustration. While Liverpool ultimately left with all three points thanks to a dramatic late winner, something important became clear about Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United: this is a team with incredible spirit, and a connection with its supporters that runs deeper than any single result.

Despite taking just one point from their first two Premier League matches, the players showed remarkable togetherness and fight, especially considering the off-field distractions that have clouded the club’s start to the season.

The biggest of those distractions has been the ongoing saga surrounding Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker’s desire to leave has cast a long shadow over the summer, affecting preparations and leaving the team without its main goal threat.

With the club’s chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, now in England to lead decisive talks, it seems the situation will finally be resolved one way or the other in the coming days.

If Isak does depart, Newcastle will need to act quickly to bring in not one, but two new strikers—a challenging task with so little time left in the window.

To make matters more complicated, the team will now also be without Anthony Gordon for the next three league matches.

The versatile forward was shown a red card against Liverpool, a moment of over-eagerness that he has since apologized for.

While his intentions were pure—he was simply trying to inject energy into the game—the suspension leaves Newcastle even more short-handed in attack.

Gordon had started the season as a makeshift center-forward, and in his absence, the only recognized striker available is young William Osula, who may now be handed his first Premier League start earlier than expected.

Gordon is a talented player, as his Player of the Season award in 2023/24 proves, but he is not a natural number nine.

The statistics from his time at Newcastle show that he is most effective when playing on the left wing, where he can use his pace and direct running to take on defenders and create chances.

When played through the middle, his output decreases significantly. This season alone, he has already missed three clear scoring opportunities, highlighting the need for a specialist striker who can convert those chances.

Recognizing this urgency, the club’s ownership is prepared to make a major move in the market. According to reliable reports, Newcastle is planning to submit an improved bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.

An initial offer of £50 million was rejected earlier this week, but the club remains in talks and is determined to secure the Norwegian international.

Wolves are believed to be holding out for a fee closer to £65 million, a reflection of Strand Larsen’s successful debut season in England, where he scored 14 league goals despite his team’s struggles.

The interest in Strand Larsen is not about replacing Alexander Isak directly. Instead, he is seen as the long-term successor to Callum Wilson, who left the club when his contract expired in June.

This means there is a possibility Strand Larsen could even play alongside Isak if the Swede ends up staying. What is certain is that Newcastle needs a player with his profile—a physical, clinical presence who can lead the line and convert the chances the team creates.

The following table illustrates why Strand Larsen represents such an attractive option, especially when compared to Anthony Gordon’s output when played out of position as a center-forward:

Player	Position	Apps	Goals	Assists	Shot Accuracy	Big Chances Missed (2024/25)
Anthony Gordon	Left Winger	65	18	17	N/A	N/A
Anthony Gordon	Centre Forward	10	2	0	N/A	3
Jørgen Strand Larsen	Centre Forward	35	14	4	61.1%	N/A

As the data shows, Gordon’s productivity drops considerably when he is moved from his preferred wide role into the center.

Strand Larsen, on the other hand, is a natural finisher. Last season, he ranked among the top 1% of all Premier League strikers for shot accuracy, with more than 61% of his efforts hitting the target.

He is a classic number nine: strong, aggressive, and relentless in his pursuit of goals. Pundits like Alan Shearer have praised his ability to be a “nuisance” for defenders, using his physicality to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play.

For Newcastle, signing a player of his caliber would not only solve an immediate problem but also add a new dimension to the attack.

Gordon’s best qualities his speed and dribbling—would be far more effective out wide, where he can combine with a true target man like Strand Larsen. This would make the team more balanced and much less predictable.

With the clock ticking down to the transfer deadline, the pressure is on. The fans have shown incredible patience and support, and the players have responded with effort and heart.

Now, the club must deliver by bringing in the goal scorer this team clearly needs. Jørgen Strand Larsen may not be a household name yet, but his profile and performance data suggest he could be the perfect fit for Newcastle’s system a signing that could turn one point from two games into a platform for a much more successful season.