Newcastle United linked with fresh €25m transfer - Eddie Howe admitted summer move was ‘close’
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Newcastle United news: Will Osula has again been linked with a move to Germany - just months after a failed deadline day transfer.
Newcastle United striker Will Osula has again been linked with a move away from St James’ Park, just months after a deadline day exit from Newcastle United collapsed at the eleventh hour.
Osula had been linked with a possible switch to Aston Villa in the final days of the summer transfer window, only for that deal to be pulled due to the Villains needing to satisfy UEFA’s squad-cost rules. On deadline day, Osula was then strongly linked with a possible move to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Newcastle United’s move for Yoane Wissa had seemingly left Osula as surplus to requirements, with Frankfurt a very possible destination for him. A deal was so progressed that Osula was given time off from duty with the Danish national team to finalise a potential move.
Both loan and permanent deals were explored, but ultimately none could be agreed and Osula remained on Tyneside as the summer window closed. That, as it turned out, would be a stroke of fortune as Wissa’s injury left the Magpies needing cover for Nick Woltemade - something Osula was able to do for a number of weeks before an ankle injury then sidelined him.
With Wissa slowly coming back to full fitness, though, could Osula be allowed to leave Newcastle United in January? Well, reports in German outlet Bild have stated that Frankfurt remain interested in the 22-year-old and they could make a fresh offer for him when the winter window opens.
A fee of around €25m could be offered by the Bundesliga outfit whilst, again, both loan and permanent deals could be explored.
Eddie Howe on ‘close’ Will Osula transfer
Newcastle United will be hopeful that, by the time the winter window rolls around, that they are in a much stronger position in attacking areas with both Woltemade and Wissa fit and firing. If that vision comes true, then there is a possibility that Osula is allowed to leave the club to get regular first-team minutes under his belt.
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Certainly, that is the view of Eddie Howe who spoke about Osula’s development last month, referencing a potential move away for the striker: “I think it was well documented,” Howe replied when asked about transfer speculation.
“It was quite close for him that he could have left in a variety of ways, whether that was 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.
“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 [away from the club].
“Obviously it didn't happen, and much to our relief it didn't happen, because obviously Yoane picked up an injury and Will's vitally important. We believe in his talents.”