Everton told to make move for Newcastle United star

Everton have been urged to make a move for Newcastle United striker Chris Wood during the January transfer window.

The former Burnley frontman moved to Tyneside in a reported £25m deal and helped play a part in the Magpies improvement during the second half of the season as they moved away from the Premier League relegation zone and into the safety of mid-table.

The return to fitness of England striker Callum Wilson and the club record signing of Sweden international Alexander Isak have limited Wood to just four starts in all competitions this season - although he find the net in the Mapgies penultimate game before the World Cup break as they romped to a 4-1 win at Southampton.

Wood’s former club Leeds United have been linked with a move for the New Zealand international but one Elland Road star believes it is Everton that should hand Wood an opportunity to gain a regular starting place and believes a deal could work for both United and the Toffees.

Former Leeds and Middlesbrough forward Noel Whelan told Football Insider: “Calvert-Lewin is a player who thrives from that service from wide areas, and Chris Wood would be exactly the same. I do believe they need more quality in January. If Everton can get him at the right price, he’d be a welcome addition to this team. I think a deal like that would suit both parties. Newcastle had to sign him at the time, but they’re now looking for bigger and better players. This could be the right time for a club like Everton to get a good deal.”

Newcastle are assessing Wood’s fitness after he limped out of Thursday’s friendly win against Al-Hilal and will hope he will be available for Saturday’s St James Park clash with La Liga club Rayo Vallecano.