Major transfer development suggests £20m player is now staying at Newcastle United

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Newcastle United are finally making some moves in the transfer market, one of which could impact a current Toon player.

While the major headline is that Newcastle are trying to sign Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace defender is not the only player that Toon officials are in talks with.

Away from the Magpies’ pursuit of a centre-back, Eddie Howe is also desperate for another striker to arrive at St James’ Park.

It is clear that Alexander Isak needs more cover at Newcastle, especially with Callum Wilson currently out of action with a back injury.

Now the club are moving to provide exactly that, with Newcastle set to sign Will Osula from Sheffield United.

Paul Mitchell has been driving Newcastle’s interest in Osula, with the 20-year-old on course to join the Magpies for an initial £10million.

Callum Wilson has been linked with leaving Newcastle

It will hopefully prove to be a smart bit of business, and it is a transfer that could keep Callum Wilson at St James’ Park.

The 32-year-old has been linked with a move away from Tyneside, as he enters the final year of his contract.

From a business perspective, it makes sense to cash in. Wilson is in his 30s, in the final year of his contract and struggling to stay fit.

From a football perspective, the £20million man is a top level Premier League goalscorer when fit and replacing him will be very expensive.

That is why Eddie Howe is keen to keep Wilson at Newcastle, and the Toon boss may now get his wish.

Osula arrival should keep Wilson at Newcastle for another year

The alternative to replacing Wilson is bringing in a younger forward who can be third choice, and that appears to be the approach that Newcastle are going for.

With zero Premier League goals to his name, there is no way that Osula will join and become Isak’s main understudy. His arrival is surely not going to pave the way for Wilson to be sold.

If Isak were unavailable, it would be a lot to ask of Osula to step up and provide the goals that Newcastle need.

Instead, the likely plan will be for Isak and Wilson to dovetail, with Osula on standby in case of emergency. In that respect, he is one for the present and the future.

There will hopefully come a time when Osula can be trusted to be a starting striker for Newcastle, but that will take time.

That is why his arrival surely implies that Wilson is staying at St James’ Park this season.