Newcastle hold striker talks as Matthias Jaissle eyes January boost

Newcastle United have reportedly held talks about bringing in another forward during the January transfer window, with Matthias Jaissle keen to address a lack of goals in his squad.

After a difficult run of results and some frustrating attacking performances, our need for more firepower is becoming increasingly obvious. The current options are not delivering consistently enough, and January could give Jaissle his first real opportunity to reshape the attack.

Newcastle hold talks as Jaissle identifies need for more goals

According to Mark Douglas at The iPaper, Newcastle have held talks about signing another forward in January as the club explores ways to support Jaissle following a bruising few weeks on Tyneside.

The report claims Jaissle feels we are light on goals, potentially prompting a change in our transfer priorities, with either a striker or a number ten on the radar if the right player becomes available.

Dinamo Zagreb hitman Dion Drena Beljo has been watched, but a reunion with Ivan Toney appears to be a non-starter. Reigniting our interest in Porto's Samu Aghehowa may also prove fruitless given his likely price tag and our lack of European football. 

Jaissle was only directly involved in one signing during the summer, with Amar Dedic’s £29.5m arrival from Red Bull Salzburg. He was consulted on other deals following his appointment, including the £51m deadline-day move for Matias Fernandez-Pardo, but much of the groundwork had already been completed before he arrived.

January therefore represents Jaissle’s first real opportunity to bring in players who fit his ideas and address the problems he has encountered during his opening 10 games.

The iPaper adds that backing the manager in the transfer market would further underline the message from St James’ Park that the club are fully committed to the German. 

Newcastle’s current strikers are not delivering

It is not difficult to understand why Jaissle wants more goals.

Yoane Wissa made a promising start to the season, shining in games against Liverpool and Spurs, but has struggled to maintain that early form and is not currently providing the consistent threat we need. William Osula has just one league goal this season and has found it difficult to hold the ball up and bring others into play.

Fernandez-Pardo, meanwhile, has yet to convince as a central striker. There is plenty of potential in the Belgian, who is still settling into the squad, but his qualities appear better suited to a wider attacking role, where he can run at defenders and use his pace in wide areas, rather than lead the line.

Between Wissa, Osula and Fernandez-Pardo, there have been just two league goals across 22 combined appearances this season. That is simply not enough.

At times, our current options look too easy to play against. We lack a reliable physical presence who can occupy centre-backs, hold the ball up, bring our midfielders and wide players into the game, and provide a consistent goal threat.

That does not mean Wissa, Osula or Fernandez-Pardo cannot contribute, but the balance of our forward line is not right at present. We need a striker who can offer something different and give Jaissle a focal point in attack.

January is still some way off, but these reported talks suggest the club recognise the problem. If we are serious about supporting Jaissle and improving our season, adding more quality and a different profile up front should be a major priority.