Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Newcastle United could remain in the market for a striker this summer. 

The lowdown: Trying hard

The Magpies have already been linked with a plethora of attacking targets during the transfer window, so far failing to bolster that department at St James' Park.

One of the most sought-after options to bring to Tyneside was Hugo Ekitike, who recently made the move to Paris Saint-Germain to finally end months of protracted speculation regarding the Toon.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth has also shown an interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ivan Toney and Armando Broja, whilst Euro 2020 winner and current free agent Andra Belotti is the latest centre-forward linked with a move to Tyneside.

The latest: Striker on Newcastle's agenda

Speaking to GiveMeSport, transfer specialist Romano has claimed that Newcastle could still seek out a centre-forward in the time remaining in the summer transfer window.

He said: “I think it’s a possibility.

“I think it’s a possibility because they want to sign talented players, so they don’t want to invest only on names, but they want to invest on players who are part of the future project, as they did with Bruno Guimaraes and with many others.”

The verdict: New striker needed

Although the business carried out so far has been impressive as Eddie Howe now has Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Matt Targett to call upon, there remains a need for at least one genuine centre-forward to be added to the ranks.

As things stand, following Dwight Gayle's £10m exit to Stoke City (BBC) and Joelinton's transformation into a midfielder, Howe only has an injury-prone Callum Wilson and a misfiring Chris Wood to call upon as senior options to lead the line for the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Furthermore, despite missing four months with a hamstring injury, Wilson ended as the Magpies' top scorer in 2021/22 with eight goals, three ahead of his closest competitors Allan Saint-Maximin and Bruno Guimaraes.

Given the new-found levels of expectation amongst the fanbase and the likelihood of an arduous season ahead, Howe, Ashworth and PIF must add another central attacking option to the ranks, and fresh links to Barcelona star Memphis Depay could prove to be the preferred path.