Champions League striker available for £30m after Newcastle United visit - Eddie Howe has already responded
Newcastle United transfers: Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth is reportedly available to leave the club this month.
Newcastle United were linked with a move for Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth during the summer transfer window.
The Norway international had just enjoyed a prolific debut season at Atletico, scoring 24 goals across all competitions, including 20 in La Liga. It followed a 26-goal campaign for Villarreal in 2023/24.
Sørloth visited Newcastle and St James’ Park back in August for the Sela Cup match but was named on the bench as Atletico secured a 2-0 win with goals from Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann.
Atletico Madrid striker linked with January move
Since then, the striker has been limited to just 13 competitive starts out of a possible 29 across all competitions for Diego Simeone’s side this season. Despite starting less than 50% of Atletico’s matches this season, Sørloth has contributed with eight goals.
But given his lack of guaranteed starts, sources in Sørloth’s native Norway claim the striker is open to leaving Atletico this month amid transfer interest.
Newcastle and Juventus are among the clubs to have been linked with a move for the 30-year-old, while Serie A side Como are reportedly willing to pay £30million to sign the striker this month.
Sørloth has been somewhat of a journeyman during his professional career, previously featuring 16 times in the Premier League for Crystal Palace between 2018 and 2019 without finding the net. But since leaving England, the striker has established himself as a respected goalscorer on the European stage.
He scored 33 goals on loan at Trabzonspor before spells at RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad and Villarreal before moving to Atletico Madrid.
NUFC striker transfer shut down by Eddie Howe
But Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has already shut down any chance of the club signing a striker this month.
The Magpies have struggled for consistency in attack this season with summer signings Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade yet to score so far in 2026.
Sunday’s 0-0 draw at bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers highlighted Newcastle’s need for fresh ideas in attack. But fresh personnel, in Howe’s eyes, is a non-starter.
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“Nick and Yoane, they’re totally different strikers but they will both be labelled a striker,” Howe said. “That's the squad we've got. And I'm very proud to manage the squad, I think we've got some really good players.
“I don't think our attacking output today was good enough. There has been similar away games. If people want to accuse us of that, I think that's totally fair. We have to find a way to score more goals on the road.”
And when asked directly if Newcastle would look to sign an attacking player this month, Howe responded: “I don’t think we’ve got the financial ability to do that.”