‘Next Alan Shearer’ would cost £100m if Newcastle want to sign him

At some point, Newcastle United are going to have to think about having to replace Callum Wilson.

While the England international scored 18 Premier League goals last season in a campaign disrupted by a World Cup and injury problems, Wilson cannot go on forever.

At 31 and with a worrisome injury record, a succession plan must soon be drawn up.

Which perhaps might explain previous links with Brighton forward Evan Ferguson.

The Republic of Ireland international had been touted as a Newcastle target earlier this year. Compared to a certain Alan Shearer by pundit Tim Sherwood, it’s easy to see why there would be interest.

Still, signing him won’t be easy.

Brighton already value Evan Ferguson at £100m

According to Football Transfers, the Seagulls already value the 18-year-old at a whopping £100m.

Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be keen too and the report adds that, by the time next summer rolls around, Ferguson could even leave for more than £115m Brighton just sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for.

Under contract until the summer of 2028, the Seagulls have little need to sell the teenager and have previously proven able to extract maximum value out of clubs looking to buy their stars.

Newcastle and Ferguson seem like a perfect fit

The old cliché about Newcastle fans loving a centre-forward is hard to ignore, particularly when one is compared to Shearer.

Newcastle’s record goalscorer has already said he loves “everything about” Ferguson’s game, adding to the excitement.

At 18, the Irishman has so much time to develop and has already scored seven goals in just 10 Premier League starts.

Back in June, Sky Sports claimed those working with the player at youth level within Irish football believe he has all the makings of a Premier League great.

With Wilson even closer towards the end next summer, the need to go big on a striker will only increase. While Ferguson looks expensive and there are FFP issues to consider, Newcastle could do far worse.