Magpies scouring soccer skies in search of shining striking talent
Published:Newcastle United are in need of a new striker for next season, with on-loan Loic Remy unlikely to sign permanently and Papiss Cisse continuously failing to impress. Reports suggest the Magpies are lining up a move for youngsters Joel Campbell of FA Cup favourites Arsenal (4/9) and Tenerife’s Ayoze Perez.
Boss Alan Pardew said: “At the back end of last year, we struggled for goals and we addressed that by moving Yohan Cabaye up to the number 10 role further up the pitch and getting Loic on loan.
“Now both those aren’t around so we’re back to where we were,” he added. “We know that in the summer with Cabaye gone and Loic not being our player, these are areas we need to address. The owner is under no illusions about that and neither am I.”
Costa Rican Campbell, 21, is currently on loan at Olympiakos for the season, with his temporary side already crowned league champions, and has really impressed. His 11 goals – including the screamer against Manchester United in the Champions League last 16 – and 12 assists from 38 matches in all competitions have been crucial.
He has featured in the majority of the Greek giants’ games this campaign but, although he has mainly been used on the wing, but can also play upfront. Arsene Wenger has striker problems of his own, but it is understood he is willing to let him leave.
Campbell, who already has 31 international caps to his name, will go to the World Cup this summer. His country Costa Rica face a challenging group with England, Uruguay and Italy. They are heavy outsiders to advance from the first stage 8/1.
Canary Islands-born Perez, meanwhile, plays in the Spanish second tier, but has had a prolific campaign. The 20-year-old, rated a reported £2m, has netted 16 times in 29 league games and his performances are attracting interest from around Europe.
