Chris Wood is close to completing a stunning £20 million (NZ$40 million) move to Premier League strugglers Newcastle United after the Saudi-backed club has met Burnley’s release clause.
Chris Wood's now prepared to undergo his medical as Newcastle player today. Contract to be signed in the afternoon after release clause triggered yesterday for £20m to Burnley. ⚪️ #NUFC
Ekitike deal still complicated – but Newcastle are working to sign one more striker.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2022
After signing England fullback Kieran Trippier from Spanish champions Atlético Madrid last week, the 30-year-old New Zealander would become Newcastle’s second major signing since they were taken over by a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund.
The Newcastle manager sees Wood as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who is expected to be sidelined for up to two months due to a calf injury.
Former Bournemouth manager Wood admires Wood’s physical attributes and link-up play.
A 1-0 FA Cup defeat to third-tier Cambridge United last weekend has left the Magpies badly in need of a goal threat.
It is no secret that Wood is a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League, having scored 50 goals in 155 games.
Newcastle’s relegation rival Burnley have hit double figures in each of the previous four seasons, and Howe sees him as key to lifting the North East club out of relegation trouble.
This season, Wood has scored just three goals and Burnley have one win from 17 matches, placing them in 18th place on the league table.
As both clubs attempt to avoid relegation from the second tier of the Championship, Newcastle are one place below the Clarets in 19th, level on points but with a superior goal difference.
Burnley’s manager Sean Dyche would suffer a huge loss if Wood left for their relegation rivals, whose side has struggled to score goals of late. The 16 goals they scored are third-lowest in the division, behind Wolves (14) and Norwich (eight).
There may not be just one striker arriving on Tyneside during the January transfer window, with Howe also looking at promising Reims forward Hugo Ekitike, reports Sky Sports UK.
French Under-20 international Ekitike, 19, has been dubbed the “new Mbappe” after scoring eight goals in 17 appearances in Ligue 1.
In addition to a new center-back, a new left-back, and a new central midfielder, Howe is believed to be on the lookout for new players as the club’s Saudi owners prepare to splash the cash to avoid relegation.
