Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth might effectively be capable to offload striker Chris Wooden within the January switch window, amid reported shock curiosity within the New Zealand worldwide.
What’s the phrase?
Based on Italian outlet Juve Dipendenza, Serie A giants Juventus are reportedly open to a transfer for the 31-year-old within the New Yr, ought to the Magpies agency up their obvious curiosity in Moise Kean.
The report means that the Tynesiders have their ‘eye on’ the 22-year-old – who’s on mortgage in Turin from Everton – with that curiosity doubtlessly set to see a swap deal emerge with Wooden heading within the different course, with the previous Burnley man stated to be ‘definitely effectively appreciated’ by Max Allegri.
The suggestion is that Il Bianconeri view the 70-cap marksman as a possible understudy to Dusan Vlahovic – who has been linked with a transfer to St James’ Park – though any transfer will seemingly relaxation on whether or not Kean strikes within the different course.
Ruthlessly ditch
It might effectively seemingly show an opportune time for Ashworth and co to maneuver on the one-time Leeds United man, with Wooden having merely struggled to make his mark following his £25m arrival from Lancashire again in January.
The 6 foot 3 menace – who has additionally been linked with a return to Elland Street in current days – had little doubt been a “unusual” addition on the time, within the phrases of talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, having solely scored three targets within the first half of final season for the Clarets.
Though the Auckland-born powerhouse had loved a notable report at Turf Moor with 53 targets in 165 video games throughout all fronts, the transfer to the northeast seemingly stunk of a short-term repair, with Eddie Howe’s facet having been in want of a dependable backup to the harm inclined Callum Wilson.
The £80k-per-week dud went on to attain simply twice in 17 video games within the second half of the 2021/22 marketing campaign, having subsequently scored solely two targets in 16 outings this time round, with a type of strikes coming towards lower-league facet Tranmere Rovers within the Carabao Cup.
The towering ahead now appears a “bit misplaced” at Newcastle – within the phrases of pundit Tam McManus – as Howe’s extra progressive strategy seems at odds with the participant’s personal strengths, having usually been a participant who “feeds on lengthy balls”, as per McManus.
With club-record signing Alexander Isak now stepping up his return to health, there seems little must preserve Wooden on the membership, significantly ought to the aforementioned Kean arrive in his place, with the latter man having netted 5 instances in 18 outings this time period.
Whereas Wooden has solely been with the Magpies for just below a yr, Ashworth should certainly use this potential alternative to ruthlessly ditch him sooner moderately than later.
