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Newcastle United transfer news: Toon keeping tabs on 24-goal hitman, Wilson rues missed chance for 'unbelievable' player

Goals have been hard to come by for Newcastle United this season.

The Magpies have been limited to just 26 goals in 25 games in the Premier League this term, and of that tally, Callum Wilson has been directly involved in 15 of them.

Given that the 28-year-old is currently sidelined, it’s understandable that the issue of the Toon Army’s attacking fragility has come to the fore in recent weeks, as have suggestions that they will look to bolster in that area over the summer.

One name that has been thrown into the ring already is that of Ivan Toney.

The Sun report that the Magpies are keeping tabs on the Brentford man, as are West Ham and Leicester City.

Toney has hit 24 goals in 31 Championship appearances this term, and used to be on the books at St. James’ Park before Newcastle sold him to Peterborough United in 2018.

Since then he has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the divisions, and looks destined for Premier League action sooner or later – whether that be through a big money move in the summer or promotion with his current employers.

It’s not hard to see why Newcastle would want him back either.

Aside from his impeccable goal-scoring record, Toney has averaged a shot accuracy rate that is 8.8% higher than Wilson’s this season, as well as having 0.25 more shot assists per game, and making 0.04 more assists per 90 minutes, as per Wyscout.

Landing him wouldn’t be easy, but what a coup it would be if the Toon Army can pull it off.

Elsewhere, Wilson has been talking about how he would have liked Newcastle to make a move for Aston Villa loanee Ross Barkley when they had the chance.

The England midfielder is currently on loan at Villa Park from Chelsea, but the Magpies striker has suggested that his side missed a major opportunity by not looking to snap up the 27-year-old when they had the chance.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer 6 podcast, he said: “I was surprised [Chelsea let him go]. What I would say is that he’s at Villa now, but training with him he’s unreal!

“For me as a striker he’d be a great person to play with, he’d help me score goals.

“I didn’t realise he would’ve gone on loan from Chelsea otherwise I’d have said to the manager you’ve got to bring him up here, he’s unbelievable!”

In particular, Wilson was wowed by what he saw from Barkley during a shared spell on England duty.

He said: "When I was there watching and involved in the finishing. He was in and around me, I felt this guy is a serious player.

“His finishing – left foot, right foot – was a joke. I was thinking he’s a midfielder! Everything was in the stanch. I’m making sure it goes in, keeping it on the floor, and everything is going top corner! I’m thinking this is different level.

“I was taken back by Ross’s ability to be honest.”

Barkley has hit four goals and an assist for Villa this season.

We’ve gathered the rest of today’s Premier League transfer speculation below: