Newcastle trigger Chris Wood’s £25m transfer release clause.. with Toon to face furious Burnley in final day six-pointer
CHRIS WOOD will join Newcastle today in a shock £25million move from relegation rivals Burnley.
The furious Clarets did not want to sell their Kiwi striker but were powerless after the Magpies triggered his release clause.
Personal terms have already been agreed with Wood, 30, to become the second signing of the Saudi era following Kieran Trippier’s arrival.
Newcastle’s interest in the New Zealand international ramped up over the weekend and he travelled to Tyneside on Tuesday to complete a medical.
It is a major blow to Burnley, who sit 18th in the league and ahead of Newcastle only by goal difference – and, incredibly, the two clubs face each other on the final day of the season!
The 6ft 2in target-man has started every game this season for Sean Dyche’s side, scoring three goals.
Wood hit double figures and was Burnley’s top scorer in each of his last four campaigns at Turf Moor, and as well as directly weakening a rival, Mags boss Eddie Howe believes he will instantly improve his side while Dyche will want to reinvest the money in his squad.
Howe was desperate for more firepower after Callum Wilson was ruled out for at least two months with a calf tear, and is likely to start Wood in the huge relegation clash against Watford on Saturday.
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Attention will now turn to landing a centre-back but Newcastle are still in the market for another, younger, forward.
They have held talks with French side Reims over starlet Huge Ekitike but face a four-way tussle to secure his services.
Ekitike, 19, is the highest scoring teen in Europe’s top five leagues with eight goals in 17 games and has attracted interest from West Ham, Brentford and Brighton.
Reims are holding out for £30million plus a huge sell-on fee, which is above Newcastle’s valuation for a youngster who only made his first start last August and has no Prem experience.
Howe has also eyed a move for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez but the Portuguese side are reluctant to sell in January.
9Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke is another option, with Howe a fan having signed him from Liverpool for the Cherries in 2019.
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