Newcastle are on the search for a new striker this month according to The Athletic, but Steve Bruce must carefully consider who he brings in.

The Magpies’ boss currently has a variety of options at his disposal with Joelinton and Andy Carroll offering height and aerial strength and Dwight Gayle offering a poaching instinct.

That is evidenced by a respective return of five and 5.8 aerial duels won per game by the first two names mentioned, but despite their presence they have been unable to score with the frequency expected of them - contributing two goals between them.

It will be interesting to see if Bruce adds a striker with a completely different skillset to that pair considering their strength allows them to lead the line effectively, though a quicker alternative could suit the team’s counter-attacking style, possessing an average 39% of the ball per league game.

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According to The Chronicle's Mark Douglas, speaking on the Everything is Black & White podcast, the north-east outfit have been offered the chance to sign Christian Benteke by Crystal Palace, but it is not a move that should interest Bruce, and there are several reasons for that.

Firstly, he is reportedly on astronomical wages according to Douglas - £120,000 a week to be precise - an amount that may make him the highest earner at Newcastle if that was the kind of contract he was given.

Additionally, he may be the tall, strong striker that Bruce likes to lead the line but similarly to Joelinton and Carroll he offers very little in the way of a goal threat, and the last thing needed at St James’ Park is another unconfident striker feeling sorry for himself.

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There is an outside chance that a move could reignite his career, as it did when he made the switch from Liverpool to join Alan Pardew’s Eagles in 2016, but after scoring 17 goals in his first season in London he soon faded, and has totalled just four in the proceeding two-and-a-half years.

Worse still, other than winning 4.4 aerial duels per game he offers incredibly little, mustering 0.5 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game, as well as a shocking pass accuracy of just 48%.

As a result, he could be more of a hindrance than a help to Newcastle if he joined, and Bruce would be best served by pursuing a different target.

Meanwhile, another potential target has been linked with a move to the north-east who could get fans on the edge of their seats.