Newcastle United have been linked to lose one of their forwards in the upcoming January transfer window, with Saudi Arabian clubs said to be interested, as well as one of the Magpies Premier League rivals.
Eddie Howe’s side were the quietest in the country this past summer transfer window as they did not bring in any new faces to the squad despite persistent rumours of incoming faces to St James’ Park.
They were also a hot topic for exits for two key players, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, who had hefty price tags attached to them, as well as talk of the new financial giants having to sell to meet monetary rules that so many have fallen afoul of in recent years in the Premier League.
Despite the silence in the transfer window, they were heavily linked with Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, who is still at Selhurst Park after the side saw multiple bids rejected.
Exit door the direction for England international?
Callum Wilson has recently struggled with Newcastle, and the side’s patience could have run out with the forward as they weigh up an exit for him in January. According to Football Insider, clubs in Saudi Arabia are willing to make an offer for the forward in the winter transfer window, which could rule out Wilson remaining in the Premier League with Fulham, who are also interested in the 32-year-old.
The forward featured in 20 games last season, only starting nine of those and scoring nine goals, but he is yet to play a game this season, with his last appearance coming against Bournemouth on the final day. Injuries have been persistent for the Englishman, just one reason for the time missed.
One last dance for Wilson?
As stated above, Wilson has interest from multiple clubs, but the majority of that comes from Saudi Arabia, which, at his age, may be a wise move to get one last payday before calling time on his career. Another Premier League club, Brentford, is another potential destination for the striker.
However, he could decide his motivation lies elsewhere and choose a move to Fulham or Brentford over a move to the Middle East to respond to the criticism he has faced, which saw him fall behind Swedish striker Alexander Isak for obvious reasons. The side are reluctant to let Isak go as they are open to selling Wilson, whose contract expires next summer, meaning a January switch would be high on the side’s priorities as they look to make some of their money back as opposed to losing the forward on a free.
If the English forward is to earn himself a deal with a club in the Premier League, he would first have to prove he could stay fit, having missed a staggering 91 games through injury at club and international level. Brentford could be the most sensible destination for him as they are currently a club that need a striker after losing Ivan Toney to the Saudi Pro League on deadline day this past window.