Newcastle United fans will be delighted to get a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025/26 Premier League season, which officially ends later today.
It’s a sunny Sunday afternoon and the Magpies masses are making their way to the capital. Eddie Howe’s side take on Fulham hoping to end a troubled season in which they lost 15 league games with a 14th Premier League win.
Thun’s hopes of progressing to Europe were dashed by their poor goal difference compared to the likes of Chelsea, with a worrying 53 goals missed heading into the showdown at Craven Cottage.
There is no doubt that Newcastle will be in need of defensive reinforcements again this summer after Kieran Trippier left St James’ Park.
Newcastle PL top scorer – 24/25 vs 25/26 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
rank | 24/25 | rank | 25/26 |
1. | Alexander Isaac – 23 goals | 1. | Bruno Guimarães – 9 goals |
2. | Harvey Barnes – 9 goals | 2. | Nick Woltemade – 8 goals |
3. | Jacob Murphy – 8 goals | 3. | Harvey Barnes – 7 goals |
4. | Anthony Gordon – 6 goals | 4. | William Osla – 7 goals |
5. | Bruno Guimarães – 5 goals | 5. | Anthony Gordon – 6 goals |
An attacking upgrade will also be needed after an equally frustrating season in front of goal on Tyneside.
Newcastle are in contract negotiations with new striker
Losing a striker with the potential of Alexander Isak will always hurt Newcastle. That’s because the Swede bagged a frightening 23 goals at home in just 34 appearances in the Premier League last season.
The team paid £125 million for him, but never brought a replacement on the market to effectively fill the Stockholm-born attacker’s void. Nick Woltemade ended his debut season with a poor record of eight league goals, barring his goal against Fulham.
William Osula has improved in recent games, scoring seven league goals in just 27 games. Still, Howe is too immature to be a reliable primary shooter, and Teamtalk reports that Tyneside Giants have held talks to sign Juventus striker Jonathan David to give Howe a top option.
Several Premier League clubs have been in touch about a possible loan for the Canadian, with Newcastle assessing their forward area ahead of the resumption of the transfer window.
Despite the former Lille striker having endured a tough season in front of goal himself in Serie A, Newcastle could win promotion from the haphazard Voltemades if David decides to move to England this summer.
Why David is a major upgrade with Woltemade
Indeed, the problem is that David is about to call time on his side after a lackluster season in Turin, scoring just six goals in 34 appearances in Serie A.
Despite the dissatisfaction with his performance at St James’ Park, Woltemade has scored more goals.
However, the German arrived last summer on the back of a goal spree in the Bundesliga, and while he has scored some goals this season, given his heroics during his previous trade in France, David will continue to improve and leave a more concrete assessment in Italy.
In fact, while still at Lille, David was hailed by Canadian football expert and podcaster Tony Mariano as “one of the best ST players in the world,” and for good reason.
David, who scored an incredible 87 goals in 178 appearances in Ligue 1, was on the line against Les Dougus and his incredible 2022/23 season ended with a contribution of 28 goals in just 37 appearances. This is in contrast to Woltemade, who has only 31 career goals.
He will never score fewer than 13 goals when he returns home to Ligue 1. In other words, Newcastle will be confident that the 75-cap Canada international can make a serious splash in England if he does cross the line, as he has proven to be far more lethal and reliable in front of goal than Walte Maid.
David, who went on to score a further 37 goals in Belgium with KAA Gent and 12 in his career in the Champions League, will be hoping to show the Newcastle faithful that his previous stint in Turin was just a stroke of bad luck.
His arrival would undoubtedly displace Voltemade from the first team, and the renowned striker, who has 51 career assists to his name, would at times appear to have a poor eye for assists.
Although he didn’t set the world on fire at Juventus, David’s old lady manager, Luciano Spalletti, was vocal in praising his passing range, stating that David “can link up with his teammates anywhere on the field.”
On a loan basis, Newcastle could strike gold by acquiring Juventus’ number 30. He could secure a significant upgrade from Voltemade and is keen to compete for a starting spot as Howe’s only marksman.
He’s a better talent than Gordon: Newcastle are in discussions to sign £25m star
Newcastle have already set their sights on an “exciting replacement for Gordon”.
