Newcastle United Watch 18-Goal Croatian Striker: Better Than Toney?

Newcastle United Watch 18-Goal Croatian Striker: Better Than Toney? Matthias Jaissle is three months into the job, yet Newcastle United already look like a side searching for answers up front. The German replaced Eddie Howe in August, and the Magpies sit 13th with 11 points from nine games, hurt by defensive inconsistency and scoring struggles. Two wins from the last seven in all competitions tell the story, including 4-1 defeats against Leeds United and Coventry City and consecutive losses to Everton in the league and the EFL Cup fourth round. Centre-forward explains much of it. Yoane Wissa, a summer arrival, leads the line but has one goal and one assist in nine appearances and struggles in Jaissle’s system. William Osula, who took the number 10 shirt, has scored once in five outings and lacks top-level experience. Jaissle favours a high-intensity, direct approach, which becomes long balls when confidence drops, or opponents press, with nobody dependable to receive them. A striker who wins headers and holds possession would change the shape of those attacks. Scouts watch Sunderland game Sport Witness , citing Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti, reports that Newcastle are closely monitoring a Dinamo Zagreb striker ahead of the winter window. Officials travelled to the Stadium of Light to watch Dinamo’s 2-0 Europa League win over Sunderland, where Croatia international Dion Drena Beljo scored the second goal. They had already tracked him in Croatia, but Everton and other Premier League clubs are in the race. Transfermarkt values him at roughly £13m, while Dinamo expect between roughly £17m and £26m. Beljo has 18 goals and six assists in 19 appearances this season. He stands out for aerial dominance, sharp reactions inside the box and clinical finishing, and he links play well as an isolated target, which suits Jaissle’s direct requirements. Should Newcastle United prioritise Beljo over an Ivan Toney reunion? AUGSBURG, GERMANY – APRIL 21: Hiroki Ito of VfB Stuttgart battles with Dion Drena Beljo during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and VfB Stuttgart at WWK-Arena on April 21, 2023 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) Newcastle have reportedly pursued a reunion with the former Brentford striker, who brings proven top-flight pedigree. His age and the wages attached to a move from Saudi Arabia create risk under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, and an expensive short-term fix rarely helps a club short of goals. Beljo offers a different return. At 24, with 18 goals this term, he would bring resale value and immediate output. Even the top of Dinamo’s range looks manageable beside Toney’s salary demands. Wissa and Osula have not provided the physical presence or clinicalness Jaissle’s system needs, and Beljo is a sturdy target man who holds the ball up and dominates the box. Winning the race would take a striker away from Everton, who have just beaten Newcastle twice, and it would keep recruitment sustainable instead of reactive.