Sky Sport claim Newcastle United first major January transfer already agreed after Aston Villa attempt blocked
Newcastle United transfers: William Osula could be on the move this month amid Bundesliga transfer interest.
Newcastle United striker William Osula has been out of action for almost two months due to an ankle injury.
The 22-year-old had a positive start to the season, scoring three goals in all competitions and providing a key contribution to Bruno Guimaraes’ late winner against Fulham back in October before succumbing to his ankle problem.
Osula had initially been playing through the pain barrier, as referenced by head coach Eddie Howe and was even originally named on the bench for Newcastle’s 2-0 Champions League clash with Athletic Club before withdrawing from the matchday squad 15 minutes later.
The Danish forward hasn’t been seen involved since, as the club looked to get to the bottom of his injury.
When asked about a potential return date for Osula, Howe said earlier last month: “We need to have further discussions internally to see quite what's happening with his ankle, because it's not going in a straight line.
“We're not quite happy with how he's feeling, so I'll try and give you some feedback when we get it.”
To add another complication to Osula’s injury situation, he has also been the subject of strong transfer interest heading into the January window.
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William Osula almost left NUFC in the summer
After arriving from Sheffield United for an initial £10million in 2024, Osula had a frustrating first season at Newcastle in which he failed to start a single Premier League game despite keeping fit for the majority of the campaign.
His limited first-team opportunities saw him close to leaving Newcastle in the summer with serious interest from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Villa were effectively blocked from completing a move due to UEFA financial rules as the clubs had already done transfer business earlier in the window, with Jacob Ramsey heading to Newcastle for £39million.
Osula had a move to Frankfurt lined up and was expected to complete the deal, only for a late U-turn on deadline day which saw the deal fall through.
Explaining the failed 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 picked up an injury. And Will's vitally important. We believe in his talents.”
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William Osula has January transfer exit ‘agreed’
Since Osula’s injury, summer signing Yoane Wissa is now back in contention and fresh from his first Premier League start and goal against Burnley on Tuesday.
Even if Osula were to return to full fitness, he would find himself further down the attacking pecking order than before, with first-team opportunities limited.
And Frankfurt are reportedly ready to make a fresh move to sign Osula this month.
Leading German outlet Bild have claimed Osula has agreed personal terms of a five-year deal worth around £40,000-per-week with the German club.
But Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has suggested that Frankfurt’s proposal will be an initial loan deal with an option to make it permanent. Osula has agreed to the move, but it’s up to Newcastle and Frankfurt to come to an agreement themselves.