Newcastle United have presented Chris Wood as a new signing. The thirty-year-old striker comes over from Burnley and signs a 2.5-year contract until mid-2024. Newcastle was eagerly looking for an attacker after Callum Wilson’s injury. Wood was considered a key player at the Clarets, but can leave the club early due to a clause in his contract.
Wilson dropped out in the FA Cup debacle against Cambridge United last Saturday (0-1 loss). Newcastle manager Eddie Howe revealed not much later that his top scorer would be out of circulation for at least eight weeks. Immediately the rumor circus started, which also included the names of Sardar Azmoun (Zenit Saint Petersburg) and Hugo Ekikike (Stade Reims). The choice ultimately fell on Wood, who will be taken over for thirty million from fellow relegation candidate Burnley. Incidentally, it is not excluded that Newcastle will still remain on the market for an extra attacker.
Lille OSC receives €35 million offer for Sven Botman
Sven Botman is also clearly in the picture at Newcastle. The club recently offered 35 million euros for the defender of Lille OSC.
“Chris is an important asset to us at a crucial moment. I am very pleased that we were able to act quickly and bring him here,” Howe said on the club’s website. “He is a very dangerous attacker with threat, is physically strong and has a character that I really like. In addition, he has a lot of experience in the Premier League. He will be a great fit for us.” Wood is also pleased with his transfer. “I’ve played at St. James’ Park a few times and can’t wait to make my debut. This is a great opportunity that I’m going to grab with both hands.
Wood is a striker with many Premier League flying hours. The sixty-time New Zealand international (27 goals) has played at the highest English level at Burnley for five seasons in a row, in which he made 144 games and 49 goals. This season the counter stands at three goals from 17 matches. Wood came over from Leeds United in 2017 for 16.4 million euros and is now leaving Turf Moor for almost double. The strong striker is Newcastle’s second acquisition this transfer period.
Earlier, right back Kieran Trippier already came over from Atlético Madrid for an amount of fourteen million excluding bonuses. The recently wealthy Newcastle also has Sven Botman and Ibrahim Sangaré in the picture to strengthen the ranks. The Magpies even made an offer of 35 million euros for the former, which, however, was immediately dismissed by Lille OSC. Bringing in Sangaré is also reportedly not an easy task: the PSV midfielder is allowed to play, according to the Eindhovens Dagblad under no circumstances leave this winter.
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