After winning the Carabao Cup last season, ending Newcastle’s 56-year wait to win a major trophy, it looked as though the PIF project was coming to a head.
Qualification for the Champions League was then secured on the final day of the campaign and the Toon were ready to attack this transfer window with intent.
To their credit, Eddie Howe’s men haven’t been shy in the transfer window but they’ve simply been met with fierce resistance and a series of rejections.
Supporters came into this window with plenty of excitement but it’s been nothing shy of a nightmare. Their best player since Alan Shearer, Mr Isak, wants to depart and hasn’t been shy of letting his desires be known, releasing quite the angry statement on Tuesday evening ahead of the PFA awards.
Newcastle have, at least, welcomed Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale to St James’ Park, but a striker continues to elude them.
The latest on Newcastle's striker hunt
Crikey, what a summer, eh? Newcastle have missed out on a whole plethora of forwards in recent months, notably Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko who turned down the Magpies’ advances, instead signing for Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.
Transfer Focus
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Work is currently being undertaken to bring Yoane Wissa to the north east but despite the player’s apparent desperation to make the move, Brentford are stubborn. After losing Bryan Mbeumo, Thomas Frank and skipper, Christian Norgaard already this summer, they are not keen on seeing their prized striker leave for cheap.
Newcastle are trying hard to sign him but with an alleged £60m price tag, obstacles have so far yet to be cleared.
Still, there are alternatives including the likes of Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand-Larsen.
Yet, according to French reporter, Julien Laurens, Sporting CP attacker Conrad Harder is also on their radar.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast on Wednesday, he stated: “They’ve tried to find a replacement for him [Isak]. They like Conrad Harder at Sporting, but he is not as developed already compared to the others we mentioned already. Certainly no Premier League experience, unlike the other three [Wissa, Jackson, Larsen].”
Amid interest from Milan, reports in Italy have indicated that the Portuguese club are seeking a fee of £24m to sell this summer, although that does seem unlikely given they have already sold Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal.
Speaking of the Gunners’ new striker, Harder has already been described as “the next Viktor Gyokeres” by Scouted Football. Here’s why.
How Harder compares to Wissa and Watkins
It’s abundantly clear that Wissa is Newcastle’s leading target this month and while they would love to sign someone like Watkins too, that one feels more unlikely.
Yet, by landing a bargain deal for Harder before the transfer window slams shut on 1st September, they’d be acquiring a raw player but someone who is actually already more complete than the pair of them.
Harder had to play second fiddle to Gyokeres in Lisbon last term but he still caught the eye, with the 20-year-old scoring 13 goals and supplying ten assists across 54 appearances in all competitions. It’s worth noting that those involvements came from just 20 starts. Impressive work indeed.
The Dane does need to refine his skillset but it’s clear to see why he’s already being compared to Gyokeres. Slightly stockier, talent scout Jacek Kulig hails his “powerful finishing” and his “excellent top speed” while describing him as a “complete forward”.
So, what do the numbers say? Well, it looks favourable when comparing him to Watkins and Wissa.
Goals
0.46
0.59
0.55
Assists
0.53
0.12
0.28
Shots on target
1.58
1.27
1.25
Key passes
1.49
0.83
0.83
Progressive passes
1.26
2.07
1.07
Shot-creating actions
3.79
2.13
1.83
Successful take-ons
1.95
0.46
0.35
Progressive carries
2.41
1.85
1.90
Aerial duels won
2.64
0.93
1.80
It’s safe to say that the Sporting youngster isn’t as prolific as the more proven talents of Wissa and Watkins just yet.
However, in every metric besides progressive passes, the Denmark youth international has proven himself to be an incredible talent, undeniably showcasing that he’s more complete across a whole range of facets.
Harder is not just a goalscorer but he’s capable of creating goals on a regular basis, notably registering more key passes than Watkins, who actually finished as the Premier League’s leading assist maker back in 2023/24.
A key pass is a pass that directly leads to a shot at the opponent’s goal.
Furthermore, he’s capable of dribbling with the ball on a regular basis, ranking highly for progressive carrying, and he can hold the ball up well, winning far more aerial duels per 90 minutes.
Newcastle fans will be holding out for a big-money striker, particularly with Isak’s future in doubt, but they could do far worse than bringing Harder to England.
