Newcastle racing to sign "powerful" £13m striker who's "like Sergio Aguero"

Newcastle United are now racing their Premier League rivals for the signature of a “powerful” striker who’s been likened to Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero, according to a report.

Newcastle eyeing striker amid Isak uncertainty

Newcastle should be in a strong position to retain the services of Alexander Isak beyond the end of the season, with the striker contracted until the summer of 2028, but a number of top clubs have now expressed an interest in the Sweden international.

Premier League champions Liverpool are keen on the 25-year-old, alongside Arsenal, with one report even suggesting the forward has expressed a desire to move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window.

As such, it could make sense for the Magpies to bring in a new striker capable of replacing Isak on a long-term basis, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo recently emerging as an ideal target, while they are also interested in signing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

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The Magpies have set their sights on a centre-back, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.

Having proven themselves in the Premier League, Mbeumo and Delap could be exciting options for Eddie Howe’s side, but there has also been a suggestion they could be willing to take a risk on a lesser-known forward.

According to a report from Fotomac (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are now in a race to sign Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy, alongside Aston Villa, who submitted a €15m (£13m) offer last summer, and soon-to-be Premier League rivals Leeds United.

Besiktas may have turned down Villa’s approach last year, but the Turkish club could now be willing to sanction a departure this summer, although they would be looking to receive a percentage of a future sale.

It is unclear what sort of fee Besiktas would be looking to receive for Kilicsoy, but £13m was deemed too low last summer, so it may take a bigger offer to tempt them into a sale.

“Powerful” Kilicsoy likened to Aguero

Football scout Ben Mattinson is a big fan of the 19-year-old, having lauded him as a “very powerful” striker in the past, while also lauding him for his shooting ability.

The teenager has also been tipped for future success by Brad Friedel, who said: “I don’t want to put pressure on him [but] he has a structure like Sergio Aguero. I think he will be very good in the future.”

Kilicsoy’s return of three goals and four assists in the Turkish Super Lig this season isn’t exactly eye-catching, with the starlet often being limited to appearances as a substitute, but he clearly has the potential to develop into a top striker.