Newcastle United star could join Aston Villa or Champions League club this month - on one condition
Newcastle United transfers: Eddie Howe wouldn’t rule out a January exit for striker William Osula.
Newcastle United striker William Osula came close to leaving the club during the summer transfer window.
Now that the January transfer window has opened, the interest remains in the forward, who is understood to be open to an exit.
Osula joined Newcastle from Sheffield United in 2024 for an initial £10million fee. Since then, he has been limited to just one Premier League start for the club and five starts in all competitions but has still contributed with five goals.
Despite his limited first-team opportunities, Osula was subject to serious transfer interest from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Villa withdrew from completing a move when it became apparent that a deal would offset the £39million received from Newcastle for Jacob Ramsey due to UEFA financial rules. UEFA rules would have viewed any move for Osula as a ‘swap deal’ in financial terms due to the transfer of Ramsey only weeks prior.
Frankfurt had a move lined up to sign Osula on deadline day at the end of the summer transfer window before a late U-turn.
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William Osula ‘quite close’ to summer exit
Explaining the failed summer exit for Osula, Howe said: “It was quite close for him that he could have left, in a variety of ways, whether that was a loan, which was always our preference because I think from our view, we wanted Will to play.
“We wanted him to continue his development, which he did brilliantly last year, because I think he committed to a path of limited game time, but big training time.
“A lot of work with Graeme Jones, a lot of reviewing his performances, then a lot of putting work into action. And the next step for me was for him to try and play regularly. So that was the aim, and especially with us bringing two strikers in, the thought was that he could continue that development best on the football pitch.
“Obviously, it didn't happen, and much to our relief, it didn't happen because obviously, Yoane [Wissa] picked up an injury. And Will's vitally important. We believe in his talents.”
Now with Wissa back involved and Nick Woltemade available, Osula will fall back down the pecking order once he returns from injury.
Sources in Germany have claimed Osula has agreed a deal in principle to join Frankfurt, who are currently competing in the Champions League, while Aston Villa’s interest also remains with Osula previously agreeing a move to Villa Park. But Newcastle have played down the prospect of a January exit for the forward unless specific demands are met.
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Eddie Howe addresses William Osula transfer speculation
When asked about the possibility of Osula leaving Newcastle this transfer window, Howe told The Gazette: “No, there's no expectation of me thinking Will will leave.
“I think the only way that we would consider that would be for his development and growth in terms of benefiting his career to playbut always with a view to him coming back to us.”
Newcastle would consider a loan move or a permanent exit with a buy-back option should such an offer be made for Osula. But for now, the club and player on getting him back fit after two months out with an ankle injury.
“He's injured at the moment,” Howe added. “I think the main priority for Will is just to focus on getting fit.
“I don't think he's close, but I think he's improving. So hopefully we'll see him towards the end of the month .Big for us to get him back fit.