Newcastle United have a decision to make regarding Callum Wilson.
The 32-year-old is Newcastle United‘s second choice striker right now behind Alexander Isak, but is currently unavailable due to injury.
Callum Wilson’s back injury forced Newcastle to step up their search for a striker, and it has resulted in one arriving.
Will Osula officially became a Newcastle United player on Thursday, and will hope to make his Toon debut during one of this weekend’s friendlies. The 21-year-old will provide cover for Isak and Wilson, with Howe believing he can improve Osula as a player.
His arrival raises more questions over the future of Callum Wilson at St James’ Park.
It had looked like Callum Wilson would leave Newcastle
Earlier this summer, Wilson was expected to leave Newcastle.
He is in the final year of his Toon contract, while his sell-on value is decreasing as his injury problems refuse to go away in his 30s.
With his age and contract situation, it made sense for Newcastle to replace Wilson. However, that was tough from a financial perspective.
Instead, the Magpies have brought in someone who is nowhere near as good as Wilson, but has the potential to grow and develop.
Update on Callum Wilson’s Newcastle future
But where does Osula’s arrival leave Wilson? Eddie Howe would like to keep the number nine on Tyneside, and could now potentially get his wish.
According to iNews, the noise inside the club now is that Wilson could stay at Newcastle United this season, and potentially even get a new contract.
A contract extension would make sense, otherwise the Magpies would lose Wilson for nothing next summer, which would be very unwise from a business perspective.
The Magpies now in a position to keep Wilson
With Osula now part of Howe’s first-team squad, Newcastle are in a position to retain the services of Wilson.
There is less pressure on him to stay fit, as there is another striker behind him if he is unable to feature.
That should hopefully allow Isak and Wilson to dovetail like they did in the 2022/23 season, as their goals helped guide Newcastle into the Champions League.
Selling Wilson now would be unwise, as Osula is not ready to be Isak’s deputy.
Instaed, signing Osula should allow Newcastle to keep Wilson for one more year than reassess the situation. This time next year, Newcastle may feel that Osula is good enough to be second choice, and that could reopen the door for Wilson to wave goodbye to Tyneside.
But that is hypothetical. Right now, it looks like Wilson could end up staying at St James’ Park, during a summer transfer window in which he looked destined to depart.
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