Newcastle target former La Liga top goalscorer in bid for new striker amid Jorgen Strand Larsen and Yoane Wissa struggles

According to journalist Filippo Biafora, intermediaries are attempting to engineer a move from Roma to Newcastle for striker Dovbyk. The 28-year-old was only used as a substitute in his current side's first game of the Serie A season and it's believed Gian Piero Gasperini is open to letting the Ukraine international depart before the summer transfer window closes, with Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson impressing during pre-season. Dovbyk arrived at Roma last year after winning the Pichichi Trophy award for top-scoring in La Liga with 24 goals for Girona.

Dovbyk could be an ideal solution to Eddie Howe's striker woes at St James' Park. Alexander Isak remains in exile for now as the Swedish striker protests in an attempt to get his desired move to Liverpool, while Callum Wilson departed earlier in the window in search of more regular game time. 

The Magpies haven't managed to bring in a new central forward in Isak's absence, with a £50m (€57.8m/$67.3m) bid for Wolves star Strand Larsen recently turned down. Brentford's Wissa is also a reported target, but Newcastle haven't been able to agree a fee with the Bees as of yet.

Newcastle suffered a tough defeat to Liverpool on Monday night after Anthony Gordon was sent off, eventually being beaten 3-2 after 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha's 100th-minute winner. They will now be without Gordon for three games, leaving Howe short on options up front.