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New Newcastle United director of football Joe Kinnear has hit the ground running in his role as he looks to snap up a new striker for the club, Sky Sports reports.
The former manager has been tasked by Mike Ashley to handle all incomings and outgoings at St James’ Park and he has already prioritised a new striker after the club failed to replace Demba Ba who left for Chelsea in the January transfer window.
The Magpies have already been linked with a move for old boy Andy Carroll but could be set to miss out on him as he nears a move to West Ham United where he spent last season on loan. Aston Villa outcast Darren Bent also remains an option, though no move has officially been made yet.
“I think we need another striker. Papiss Cisse was top scorer with 13 goals last season, the next best was Yohan Cabaye with six,” Kinnear said.
“There weren’t enough goals from other players in and around the team for whatever reason. Alan will tell me why. I don’t know the reasons, I only know the facts.
“But I will suggest we find somebody with the pedigree that guarantees you 15 goals a season. I don’t know where the Bent link came from, and that’s why this week we will sit down together and go through everything so we can get cracking and get players in.
“I gave Andy Carroll his first home start. He’s an exceptionally strong and talented player. But I don’t know what the score is with the financial side of Andy. It’s something I intend to investigate.”
However, Kinnear also admitted that he doesn’t know what his budget is yet.
“I haven’t been given a budget yet but I will go to owner Mike Ashley and explain to him how in need we are. I think we’ll look at all the markets. I think Mike is a very generous owner,” he added.