Nottingham Forest are weighing up a surprise move to sign Newcastle striker Chris Wood, according to Football Insider. The Magpies talisman has fallen way down the pecking order under Eddie Howe and he could be willing to offload him this month.
Wood has made just four starts in the Premier League during 2022/23. He’s found the net twice during the campaign and has actually been introduced as a substitute 14 times in the Premier League.
At 31-years-old, Wood is in need of more frequent game time. With Taiwo Awoniyi currently nursing an injury, Forest are certainly in the mix to sign another striker this month.
Wood signed for Newcastle in January 2022. The Magpies weakened a relegation rival, taking the uncompromising striker from Turf Moor for a fee of £25 million.
A loan move would likely favour Forest more than a permanent deal. Wood earns £80,000-a-week at St James’ Park and that will surely persuade the Reds to sign him on loan instead.
The Newcastle man has scored five goals in total for his current club. At Burnley he developed a reputation, scoring 53 goals from 165 appearances and becoming a firm fan favourite.
Newcastle appear willing to let Wood leave before the end of the month. It could depend on who they can bring in, however, and a patient game will need to be played.
Newcastle legend Les Ferdinand was a big fan when he first arrived at the club. He called him ‘tremendous’ after he came in and made an immediate impact in their quest to beat the drop.
Forest weighing up surprise move for Newcastle striker Wood
This would be an interesting one and it perhaps wouldn’t be overly well received by the fan base. Still, if Steve Cooper is keen to sign him, then he will almost certainly be given a chance.
Wood is renowned for his brute strength. He brings others into play and in Awoniyi’s absence, he would certainly provide the Reds with a bit of a focal point.
Before he suffered his injury, however, the Nigerian had been playing as a wide striker. If Forest have the same idea for Wood then it wouldn’t make a deal of sense at all.
Rumour rating: 3/10 – We’re not sure about this one. If Cooper wants him great, he will get a chance to prove himself. Wood earns a sizeable salary though and at the wrong end of his career, perhaps the Reds would be wiser persisting with what they’ve got.
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