Newcastle United: Outstanding 46-goal-striker puts club in dilenma as he makes to temporarily leave

Callum Wilson’s long-term future at Newcastle United remains unknown.

The 32-year-old’s contract expires in just over a year, and he was linked with a move in January. Since then, Wilson has been sidelined for two months due to an injury.

 

While Wilson is expected to return from injury this week, his age, injury history, and contract status raise numerous questions about whether Newcastle might attempt to cash in this summer.

Wilson has 46 goals in 104 games since joining Newcastle from AFC Bournemouth for £20 million in 2020, and he adds undoubted goalscoring ability to the team when healthy.

Even this season, Wilson has one of the finest goal-to-minute ratios in the Premier League, with seven goals in just eight starts, averaging one every 122 minutes on the pitch.

Finding a replacement who can match Wilson’s goal total would be costly, which head coach Eddie Howe understands.

“It’s undoubted how I feel about Callum, how I feel about his qualities and what he can offer the team,” he stated. “If you lose a player of his caliber, the club will have to spend a lot of money to replace him.

“It’s always a major consideration whenever we engage in summer transfer activities. The focal point revolves around how to adequately replace any departing player with the same caliber, especially given the looming implications of Financial Fair Play. There’s a multitude of factors to ponder.

When questioned about whether Wilson has something to prove for the remainder of the season, Howe remarked, “I believe every time a player dons the Newcastle shirt, there’s a personal benchmark they strive to meet. As for Callum Wilson, his talent and capabilities are beyond doubt. Our primary wish is for him to maintain fitness consistently and deliver performances regularly.

Therefore, my response carries a dual meaning. I expect every player to exhibit an unwavering determination in every match to fulfill their aspirations, and certainly, Callum possesses lofty ambitions. He remains a formidable presence on the field and can significantly impact our team.”