Newcastle have told managing director Lee Charnley that he must prioritise the signing of a striker before resurrecting our interest in Ajax captain Siem De Jong. Charnley is sitting on a substantial transfer warchest according to the Journal but has yet to make a breakthrough in his efforts to sign a new forward before the World Cup. Our long-term target Bafetimbi Gomis is, for some insane reason, considered only a back-up option despite his status as a free agent meaning we'll continue to explore other options. Gomis' former Lyon team-mate, Alexandre Lacazette, is reported to be our primary target and it would be a major coup for the Club if they were to pull off a deal for the deadly 23-year-old France international who scored 23 times in 46 games last season. Hertha Berlin forward Pierre-Michel Lasogga is also said to be our radar and it's imperative that Charnley makes some sort of discernible progress on signing the two strikers we urgently require before he is given the green light to pursue De Jong and focus his attention on reinforcing other positions. Alan Pardew is a huge admirer of the Holland international and it would be a huge statement of intent from the Magpies if they were to bring a a player of De Jong's calibre to St James' Park. But, when all is said and done, actions will always speak louder than words. Charnley is undoubtedly feeling the heat of his new position and knows that supporters won't be pacified by the addition of Jack Colback and Ayoze Perez. He needs to make a heavyweight signing, preferably a striker, and quickly before the knives come out.
