The centre-forward dilemma at Newcastle United has become one of the central stories of their summer transfer window.
Alexander Isak’s push to depart has left Eddie Howe and his recruitment staff scrambling for answers, with every collapsed target only adding to the urgency.
The Magpies have already failed in moves for Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, João Pedro, and Benjamin Šeško – all of whom might have paved the way for Isak’s exit had they signed.
At present, the Swede’s future remains unresolved.
He has made no secret of his refusal to return to the squad, even if no transfer can be finalised.
A switch to Liverpool is his chosen outcome, but Newcastle’s stance has been firm: no striker replacement, no sale.
That hunt for a successor has taken Newcastle down several paths. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has been a long-time favourite, but talks have broken down.
The Congolese forward’s omission from Brentford’s victory over Aston Villa drew speculation, but no agreement has yet been reached.
Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen has also been assessed, though Vítor Pereira’s unwillingness to lose him makes the deal improbable.
With the clock running down, Newcastle have shifted their focus to a different type of front man.
Craig Hope of the Daily Mail reports that Newcastle are now interested in Atlético Madrid’s Alexander Sørloth.
Hope explained: “He’s been discussed. He’s the latest striker on their list of possible signings. It’s Alexander Sorloth at Atletico Madrid. His scoring record is outstanding. Absolutely fits the mould of his compatriot Strand-Larsen. He’s among the options being weighed up, though there are others too.”
The 29-year-old Norwegian is a familiar figure to Premier League audiences, although his earlier spell in England left little impression.
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Crystal Palace bought him from FC Midtjylland in 2017, but Sørloth failed to score across 16 matches before moving on.
Praised as “phenomenal” by Diego Simeone, any approach would likely be tricky. Newcastle would have to persuade Atlético to release him, probably at a fee above his current £30m valuation.
Yet with Isak’s saga dragging on and the deadline approaching, pragmatism could dictate their choice.
After leaving south London, Sørloth thrived with Real Sociedad, then excelled at Villarreal, where his goals brought him a transfer to Atlético last year.
Standing 1.95m tall, he delivers the aerial power and physical dominance that Newcastle fans once associated with Andy Carroll.
In La Liga last season, Sørloth scored 20 goals in 35 outings, an exceptional return that showcased his evolution into a proven scorer..
More than just a target man, Sørloth shines with his movement inside the box, ranking in the 93rd percentile for touches in opposition territory.
This combination of qualities could directly solve one of Newcastle’s most obvious problems.
Against Aston Villa, Howe’s men dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge to transform control into goals.
With Isak unavailable, they were missing the focal striker needed to convert pressure into chances.
Sørloth, who already appeared at St James’ Park this summer in a pre-season fixture, could be the missing piece.
For Newcastle’s fans, Sørloth evokes memories of Carroll, who embodied the classic number nine with his heading power, aggression, and eye for goal.
Across his two spells, Carroll managed 134 appearances, netting 34 goals alongside 26 assists.
His record-breaking switch to Liverpool in 2011 demonstrated how crucial he was to Newcastle’s attack.
Sørloth may not be a carbon copy, but the likeness is clear. Both share similar height, physical power, and a mix of strength and technique.
Where Carroll’s progress was often checked by injuries, Sørloth has shown durability in reviving his career after earlier setbacks.
His rise in Spain suggests he could succeed in the right setup, and Howe’s structured attack might be the ideal fit.
This summer’s business has been controlled and cautious, reflecting Newcastle’s need to stay compliant with the league’s financial rules.
Having already added Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Aaron Ramsdale, a reliable centre-forward would complete the balance.
Sørloth, who could be secured for far less than Isak’s possible fee, would also represent value in a market short of top strikers.
More than anything, Sørloth’s candidacy highlights Newcastle’s flexibility.
Their interest in Wissa and Strand Larsen shows they are exploring contrasting profiles: pressing forwards with mobility and traditional hold-up players.
Sørloth firmly fits the latter style, a striker who could offer Howe an alternative plan