Newcastle to replace Isak with €85m striker who is 'IN CRISIS'

Tom Weber

Updated: 16 Mar 2025 11:21 GMT
4 min read

Alexander Isak, Eddie Howe — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Newcastle are interested in signing Randal Kolo Muani as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, according to Italian media.

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The Magpies are gearing up for one of the biggest matches in the club's recent history when they take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. Ahead of the game at Wembley, Alexander Isak was projected onto buildings around London by main sponsor Sela.

It was quite fitting considering that the talk surrounding the future of the Swedish striker is threatening to overshadow what could be one of the most glorious days in Newcastle's history. After all, the St. James' Park club haven't won a major trophy since 1955.

Isak is easily Newcastle's best striker since club legend Alan Shearer and he is naturally the protagonist on most matchdays. As such, he is attracting high-profile attention with Arsenal and Liverpool keen.

Newcastle don't want to sell, obviously, but failure to get into the Champions League could force them to at least consider a big-money departure.

Newcastle looking at replacements

Things can never be predicted for certain in football and Newcastle are preparing for the event that Isak does indeed leave the club. FootballTransfers previously revealed that Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike feature prominently on Eddie Howe's shortlist.

Calciomercato has now added the name of Randal Kolo Muani to the list of options under consideration. The Frenchman flopped at PSG following his €85 million transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023.

Kolo Muani joined Juventus on loan in January and started like a house on fire. The 26-year-old broke several records by netting five goals in his first three games for the Bianconeri.

His form gave rise to reports that Juventus were already in negotiations to extend his loan by another season or to sign him permanently, but this talk has now disappeared - just like his goalscoring.

Kolo Muani has not found the back of the net in a month and Gazzetta dello Sports reports how the striker is 'in crisis.' He is still favoured by coach Thiago Motta over the much-maligned Dusan Vlahovic, but Juventus are considering different solutions for the summer.

Victor Osimhen is the dream target of director Cristiano Giuntoli, but it is not entirely ruled out that Kolo Muani's stay will get extended by a year. A lot will, however, depend on the future of Motta, with the coach under increasing pressure.

If the former midfielder gets sacked, Kolo Muani may think twice about staying in Turin, potentially paving the way for a move to Newcastle.