Newcastle ready to pay £60m to sign Aston Villa target

Newcastle United just need to get to the finish line. This summer, it’s looking like it’s going to be a factory reset for Eddie Howe‘s side – and the manager may be among the exits after such a frustrating few months.

The Toon are 14th in the Premier League, and after four successive losses, have been pulled into discussions of an unlikely late-stage relegation battle.

Howe’s side will probably be alright, but the Toon aren’t going to play European football next season, unless something drastic happens, and it’s clear that changes are needed to bounce back.

Yoane Wissa, 28, is already at risk of leaving Newcastle after a disappointing year. This has been a nightmarish season for the big-money recruit, but replacing him will be a tough one, especially as interest in Anthony Gordon ramps up.

Newcastle ready to pay for Premier League forward

Gordon, 25, is Newcastle’s star forward, but it’s clear that he is searching for an exit from St. James’ Park this summer. Bayern Munich and Chelsea are keen, but the Magpies showed last summer with Alexander Isak that they will not budge on their valuation, which has been set at £75m.

There’s no question that Newcastle will need a left winger to challenge Harvey Barnes, but Gordon has become something more than just a wide forward, now a talisman for his team.

With Wissa and Woltemade both leaving a lot to be desired, this is understandable, for Isak hasn’t really been replaced.

But Newcastle could yet secure their man. According to Sports Boom, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is a target for numerous Premier League outfits this summer. Newcastle are joined by Aston Villa in pursuing a deal.

Jackson has spent the 2025/26 season out on loan in Germany with Bayern Munich, but he’s understandably played second fiddle to Harry Kane. Bayern will not tie up the deal on a permanent basis.

On Tyneside, he would be the main man, especially if Newcastle get their wish and part with Wissa, one year after signing the DR Congo international from Brentford for £55m.

Why Jackson would be an upgrade on Wissa for Newcastle

It’s not Wissa’s fault that his early days as a Newcastle striker were hindered by injuries, but he has flaked away over the second half of the season without ever coming close to repaying it.

Last season, the experienced attacker, who can hold a number of different roles in the final third, excelled for Thomas Frank’s Brentford, but PIF are already ready to cut their losses.

Never has the 29-year-old been less active and productive in front of goal, and that forms the crux of his struggles at Newcastle. In Jackson, Newcastle would find a more dynamic and versatile forward, perhaps not the most clinical but someone who’s overall game brings more to the table – certainly more than Wissa, who has been flat.

Newcastle are 12th in the standings this season for big chances created, with 52. In 2023/24, Howe’s side finished joint-second in that chart, with 97 big chances created.

Here, Jackson would trump his positional rival. Described as a “monster” in attack by former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel, the Senegalese striker has scored three goals and supplied two assists in the Bundesliga this season, despite only starting three games. He has impressed with his movement, creativity and anticipation.

With Chelsea, the 24-year-old posted 30 goals and 12 assists across 80 games. He had his faults, but Jackson was young, thrown into an unstable BlueCo project. He’s improving still, and he could thrive as the Magpies’ main man up top.

Jackson deserves to play regularly at the front of a top system, and whether Howe remains in charge or not, the well-worked execution of a clear strategy could fire Newcastle back into the ascendancy.

Wissa hasn’t cut the mustard, failing to make use of his admittedly limited opportunities. Jackson, however, has pounced on any openings provided in Munich, and while Vincent Kompany’s side have decided against bringing him over for good, their loss could be Newcastle’s gain.