Newcastle United look set to complete the signing of Yoshinori Muto in a deal worth £9.5million in the imminent future, but a recent report from The Guardian suggests Rafa Benitez would be wise to target another attacking player ahead of the new season.

According to the report, Crystal Palace are set to step up their pursuit of Danny Ings before the transfer window slams shut in a bid to improve their options at centre-forward following Christian Benteke's abject season at the spearhead of their attack.

With just 3 goals to boast from 31 appearances in the Premier League last season, it's clear that Roy Hodgson will need to sign at least one new striker this summer to provide an alternative to the toothless Belgian.

Benteke's decline was a huge disappointment for Palace as he his record in the Premier League has been more than respectable during his career thus far but, after the previous campaign, the Eagles cannot afford to place their trust in him for another season, so their interest in Ings is certainly well placed.

However, Newcastle would be foolish not to hijack their bid to bolster their own options and leave one of their major relegation-rivals in a crisis ahead of the new season.

Sure, the arrival of Yoshinori Muto is on the horizon subject to a work-permit, but the lack of cutting edge the Magpies possessed in the final-third last season suggests that further recruits will be needed.

Ings is exactly the sort of clinical finisher who can make the difference between survival and relegation in the Premier League, so there's no doubt that the £20 million price-tag which Liverpool have reportedly placed on his head would be well worth matching this summer.

Considering Joselu's dreadful form for Newcastle last season, the club cannot rely solely on Dwight Gayle and Muto to carry the responsibility at centre-forward for the entire season with potential injuries and suspensions inevitably bound to occur.

At least one more attacking signing will be needed before the window slams shut to ensure that Newcastle has a realistic chance of staying in the top-flight for another season, and in Ings they have an ideal target to pursue for a reasonable price.

Newcastle fans - thoughts? Let us know below!