---
title: "Newcastle: Chris Waugh drops striker claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-chris-waugh-drops-striker-claim-eddie-howe-callum-wilson-darwin-nunez-steve-nickson/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2022-05-02T16:10:55Z"
modified: "2022-05-02T16:10:55Z"
---

# Newcastle: Chris Waugh drops striker claim

**Newcastle United’s priority this summer is to land a striker and Benfica’s Darwin Nunez ‘has long been admired’, [The Athletic’s Chris Waugh writes](https://theathletic.com/3284378/2022/05/01/newcastle-need-another-prolific-striker-to-breach-howes-offensive-gap/).**

### The lowdown

Newcastle did sign a striker in January, activating the [£25million release clause](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12514215/newcastle-transfer-news-chris-wood-signs-from-burnley-in-25m-deal-to-become-second-january-arrival) in Chris Wood’s Burnley contract.

But Wood has struggled since his arrival, with just [one non-penalty goal to his name in 15 appearances](https://fbref.com/en/players/4e9a0555/Chris-Wood).

After [starting 13 straight games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-wood/leistungsdaten/spieler/108725), he was an unused substitute against Norwich City and only played the final 23 minutes of the 1-0 defeat against Liverpool on Saturday.

Benfica frontman Nunez, called [‘world class’](https://www.fotmob.com/news/nv0gd5j6qe021br185uxxjt1c-Darwin-Nunez-will-eclipse-Joao-Felix-%E2%82%AC126m-transfer-as-Benfica-boss-braces-for-exit) by Jorge Jesus, is enjoying an outstanding season, having netted [34 goals in 40 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darwin-nunez/leistungsdaten/spieler/546543) across all competitions. Transfermarkt value the 22-year-old at [£36million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darwin-nunez/leistungsdaten/spieler/546543).

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/)

### The latest

Newcastle correspondent Waugh [tweeted that](https://twitter.com/ChrisDHWaugh/status/1520825527757684738) ‘a top-level striker is the priority this summer’ at St James’ Park.

In the [attached story](https://theathletic.com/3284378/2022/05/01/newcastle-need-another-prolific-striker-to-breach-howes-offensive-gap/), he shares ‘strong indications’ from club sources that the ‘majority’ of their budget will be directed towards this position.

Newcastle are long-term fans of Nunez but Waugh believes that he’s ‘almost certain to head elsewhere’. Fortunately, head of recruitment Steve Nickson has drawn up a shortlist with a ‘host of alternatives’.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389224″\]

### The verdict

What could this mean for Callum Wilson, who remains [Newcastle’s top scorer this season with six goals](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/top-scorers)?

Well, Waugh does raise the possibility that the new arrival could play alongside Wilson, and it’s worth remembering that Howe previously deployed the Englishman in a front two [during their time together at Bournemouth](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/183/Archive/England-Bournemouth?stageId=17590).

But he must still be a little concerned by the stories he’s reading and may seek assurances from the manager.

Indeed, insider Dean Jones recently claimed that Wilson is unlikely to be a ‘main player’ when he’s [returned from the calf injury that’s kept him out since December](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-callum-wilson-may-struggle-to-win-back-place/).

Is there still a place for him when Newcastle [have the funds to make a blockbuster addition?](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12428222/newcastle-united-takeover-q-a-how-and-why-newcastle-have-become-one-of-the-worlds-richest-football-clubs#)

**In other news, [Frank McAvennie reacts to a Bruno Guimaraes exit story.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/real-madrid-transfer-news-bruno-premier-league/)**