The striker situation at Newcastle United has developed into one of the defining sagas of their summer window.
Alexander Isak’s desire to leave the club has left Eddie Howe and the recruitment team scrambling for solutions, with each failed pursuit only heightening the sense of urgency.
Newcastle have already missed out on Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, João Pedro, and Benjamin Šeško – all of whom might have paved the way for Isak’s departure had they been secured.
As things stand, the Swede’s future remains unresolved.
He has made it abundantly clear he does not wish to reintegrate with the squad, even if no sale materialises.
A move to Anfield remains his desired outcome, but Newcastle have been equally firm: no replacement, no transfer.
Newcastle's new contender
That replacement hunt has taken them down multiple avenues. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has long been admired, but negotiations have stalled.
The Congolese’s absence from Brentford’s win over Aston Villa raised eyebrows, though nothing concrete has yet been agreed.
Jørgen Strand Larsen of Wolves has also been sounded out, though Vítor Pereira’s reluctance to part with the Norwegian makes that transfer unlikely.
With time ticking down, Newcastle have turned their attention to a different profile of forward.
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Newcastle hold an interest in Atlético Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth.
Hope stated: “He has been discussed. He is the latest one in the orbit of players they could move for. It’s Alexander Sorloth at Atletico Madrid. His goal record is quite incredible. Absolutely in the mold of his countryman, Strand-Larsen. Sorloth is one of the names being considered and there are others too.”
The 29-year-old Norwegian is a familiar name to Premier League fans, though his first spell in England was far from remarkable.
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Signed by Crystal Palace from FC Midtjylland in 2017, Sørloth failed to score in 16 appearances before eventually being moved on.
Described as “phenomenal” by Diego Simeone, any deal would likely be complicated. Newcastle would need to convince the Spanish club to part with him, likely at a fee north of his current market value of £30m.
But with Isak’s situation dragging on and the clock ticking, pragmatism may force their hand.
Newcastle's new Andy Carroll
After leaving the south-east London club, Sørloth established himself at Real Sociedad, and then flourished at Villarreal, where his goalscoring exploits earned him a move to Atlético last summer.
Standing at 1.95m, he offers the kind of aerial dominance and physical presence that Newcastle fans associate with Andy Carroll.
His numbers back up that comparison.
In La Liga last season, Sørloth scored 20 goals in 35 appearances, a remarkable tally that underlines his development into one of Europe’s most reliable finishers.
Alexander Sørloth – La Liga – 2024/25
Matches
35
Minutes
1,566
Goals
20
Assists
2
Progressive Carries
32
Progressive Passes
31
The advanced metrics paint an even clearer picture of his value: according to FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.90), 97th for total shots per 90 (4.29), and 94th for aerials won per 90 (5.05).
Far from being just a target man, Sørloth also excels in his movement inside the penalty area, ranking in the 93rd percentile for touches in the opposition box.
This blend of attributes would address one of Newcastle’s most glaring issues.
Against Villa, Howe’s side controlled large periods of the game but lacked the cutting edge to make their dominance count.
With Isak unavailable for selection, there was no focal point to convert their possession into clear chances.
Sørloth, who already played at St James’ Park this summer in a pre-season friendly, could provide precisely that.
For Newcastle supporters, the prospect of Sørloth evokes memories of Carroll, who embodied the traditional number nine spirit with his strength, aerial ability, and goalscoring instinct.
Across two spells at the club, Carroll made 134 appearances, scoring 34 goals and adding 26 assists.
His big-money move to Liverpool in 2011 highlighted just how much Newcastle relied on his presence at the time.
Sørloth is not a like-for-like replacement, but the comparison is clear. Both men stand at virtually the same height, both are capable of bullying defenders, and both bring a blend of physicality and technical competence.
Where Carroll was at times let down by injuries, Sørloth has shown resilience in rebuilding his career after early setbacks.
His resurgence in Spain suggests he could thrive in the right system, and Eddie Howe’s structured, attacking side might be the perfect environment.
There is also a strategic angle.
Newcastle’s summer recruitment has been careful, even cautious, reflecting the club’s need to stay within the boundaries of the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Having already brought in Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Aaron Ramsdale, the addition of a proven goalscorer would bring balance to the squad.
Sørloth, available for a fraction of the fee Isak might command, would also represent value in a market where reliable strikers are scarce.
But above all, Sørloth’s candidacy illustrates Newcastle’s willingness to adapt.
Their pursuit of Wissa and Strand Larsen indicates they are exploring different striker types: mobile forwards who press aggressively, and more traditional target men who can hold up play.
Sørloth sits firmly in the latter camp, a player who could give Howe a tactical alternative while easing the transition away from Isak. Whether he is the long-term solution or a stop-gap remains to be seen, but the logic is hard to ignore.
Newcastle’s aspirations extend beyond domestic stability; they are preparing for another European campaign and require depth to compete on multiple fronts.
Sørloth offers something they currently lack: presence, pedigree, and proven productivity at the top level.