Newcastle United signing a top-level striker in the upcoming summer transfer window is ‘definitely plausible’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Magpies joined football’s financial elite following their £305 million Saudi-backed takeover last year and are expected to strengthen their first-team squad when the market reopens for business.

What is the latest news involving Newcastle?

In January, Newcastle’s new owners splashed out £90m on five new acquisitions, bringing in Chris Wood, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimarães.

And manager Eddie Howe is widely expected to be backed once again ahead of next season, with several intriguing stars linked with potential moves to St. James’ Park.

Stade Reims striker Hugo Ekitike reportedly remains on the radar of Newcastle after turning down a deadline day move to the North East following last-minute interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph have claimed that Newcastle are expected to end their pursuit of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez before it ever really got going.

The club’s hierarchy believe the Uruguay international wants to join a side competing in the Champions League and will instead turn their attention to Brentford marksman Ivan Toney.

What has Jones said about Newcastle?

When asked if Newcastle could realistically sign an elite-level forward currently plying his trade for a top European club, Jones told GiveMeSport that he believed that prospect was ‘definitely plausible’.

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In an exclusive interview, the reporter informed GMS: “Yeah, it's definitely plausible. I mean, that's literally where they're aiming, and they've got the finances to back it up and actually sign them.

“And they've got the project that will convince someone to come and do it; someone will be tempted into that.”

What is Newcastle’s current striker situation?

Newcastle opted to bring in Wood from relegation-rivals Burnley via a £25m deal during the winter, but his time at the club hasn’t gone exactly to plan.

The New Zealand international has only found the back of the net on two occasions in his 14 appearances for the Toon Army to date, while fellow striker Callum Wilson has once again been plagued by injury issues.

Wilson hasn’t featured since 27 December after injuring his calf against Manchester United, and Newcastle’s haul of 40 top-flight strikes is the 13th-lowest in the division.

Therefore, it’s understandable why Howe is believed to be targeting a new striker in the summer to provide some much-needed firepower in the final third of the pitch.