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Alan Shearer has urged Newcastle to sign not one, but two strikers before Monday's transfer deadline.
This comes amid the ongoing Alexander Isak saga, which Shearer believes will likely result in Newcastle having to shell out "bonkers" transfer fees for other players. Isak, 25, is firm in his stance that he has played his last game for Newcastle and hasn't yet featured for Eddie Howe's side this season.
The Swedish striker is keen on a move to Liverpool, who are expected to make a second bid for the striker before the transfer window shuts. However, it remains uncertain whether Newcastle will approve the sale.
From the Magpies' perspective, they've maintained throughout the summer that there's no desire to sell Isak. Instead, the club is actively seeking to strengthen its attack before the deadline, rather than parting with its main striker.
Newcastle has been unsuccessful in its attempts to sign a new No. 9 this summer, with recent bids for Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen being turned down.
But Shearer, the club's all-time leading goalscorer, insists that something has to give before Monday, given the current stand-off with Isak.
"Newcastle need strikers, not just one striker, I guess, in terms of whatever the decision is with Alexander Isak," he told Betfair.
"There's no doubt they definitely need to sign one striker. Possibly two. I guess after what happened on Monday evening with Anthony Gordon now being out for three games, whoever it is, whether it's Strand Larsen, Wissa, or both.
"Their transfer fees are going up as we speak because of the situation Newcastle are in financially and the desperation for forwards."
Newcastle is anticipated to increase its latest bid for Strand Larsen, hoping to secure a deal with the Wolves striker who netted 14 top-tier goals during his successful debut season in English soccer last term.
Shearer, however, views such a move as another instance of how "bonkers" the transfer market has become, especially for strikers.
He added: "I think Wissa will be a more important signing. Strand Larsen is a bit different, I guess. I don't think anyone expected that one. That's not a slant on him because he scored 14 goals for Wolves last season.
"We know the window has gone mad, I mean £75 million or so for Benjamin Sesko. It's a huge fee. Similar with Viktor Gyokeres.
"The difference with Strand Larsen and Wissa is that they've had a season or two in the Premier League, so they know what it's about. I think somehow, you have to try and take the transfer fee out because fees have just gone bonkers, they really have.
"Whether Newcastle sell Isak for whatever they get, I guess that's probably why the fee you're talking about is for him."
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