Despite finishing 11th in the Premier League last season, Newcastle United only managed to score 44 goals across their 38 games.

In fact, teams such as Crystal Palace, Brentford and Aston Villa scored more than the Magpies despite finishing behind them in the final table.

One player in Newcastle's ranks who was brought in during the January transfer window to try and improve their scoring output is Chris Wood.

After making his move to St James' Park in January from Burnley in a deal worth £25m, the striker - who is now the joint-highest earner at the club with a wage of £100k-p/w - only netted two goals in 17 league games.

The 30-year-old may only be a fairly new addition to Newcastle's squad, but should Eddie Howe find himself thinking that Wood isn't good enough to continue the journey at the Tyneside club, the Magpies may have already found their ideal replacement for the New Zealand international.

Last week, it was claimed by transfer insider Dean Jones that Newcastle are to be offered the chance to sign Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa, also known as Gabigol.

With 296 appearances to his name for Flamengo and his former clubs Santos, Inter Milan and Benfica, the Brazilian has scored 147 goals and delivered 41 assists along the way.

This highlights just how much of a knack he has for finding the net on a regular basis, which is something that Wood has not been able to deliver since he arrived at Newcastle.

To further show his deadliness in front of goal, despite playing in only 18 league games last season, the 25-year-old still ended the campaign with more shots on target (33) than any other player at his current club.

Hailed as a player who "has everything to be the greatest striker in Flamengo’s history," according to Brazil icon Zico, Barbosa could be the ideal figure to come in and be Howe's go-to marksman up top.

If the Toon are offered the chance to sign the Brazil striker this summer, securing a deal for him could be just what they need in order to push further up the Premier League table and closer to breaking into Europe.

AND in other news: Newcastle eyeing swoop for "dynamic" £40m sensation, it could be bye-bye Almiron