Alan Shearer names top transfer target and urges Newcastle to sign three players

Alan Shearer has named three "priority positions" Newcastle United must strengthen in upcoming transfer windows and named Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres as an ideal signing to bolster our attack if the money is there.

Taking questions from Toon fans for The Athletic, Shearer stated that a striker, right-winger and centre-back should be the key areas of focus heading into 2025, feeling we must bolster our forward line to support Alexander Isak; who has had "littl cover" in Callum Wilson's continued absence.

It's hugely ambitious from our former No.9, but he wants Newcastle's Saudi owners to "target the best" - providing the money is there - and feels the free-scoring Gyokeres is exactly that, with the Swede taking his tally to 23 goals for the season after Tuesday's hat-trick against Man City.

Shearer said: “I would definitely be targeting a centre-forward, a right-sided forward and probably a centre-half. Those are the three priority positions. I’m biased but those forward roles feel like the most important where there is little cover for Alexander Isak.

“Who exactly? It depends on how much Newcastle can spend. There’s Viktor Gyokeres smashing goals in left, right and centre at Sporting Lisbon.

“Manchester United have appointed Ruben Amorim, but he says he won’t be signing players from his former club in January. You have to target the best — and he is the best option at the moment.”

It feels like wishful thinking to pursue the most in-form striker in Europe as cover for Alexander Isak, but we are at a stage where a younger, fitter and far more reliable alternative to Callum Wilson is needed after the 32-year-old has missed all 10 of our opening games so far this season.

As for the right wing and centre-back, it'll be interesting to see if we make big moves in January - Bryan Mbeumo and Marc Guehi continue to be linked - or settle for what we've got between now and next summer.