Newcastle United reportedly had a bid accepted for William Osula of Sheffield United, but now the deal in question is reportedly in jeopardy.
According to reports, a move for the Dane is now in jeopardy with the Blades’ current owners accepting the money, but prospective buyers want to keep the 21-year-old.
His career so far:
Interest in Danish U21 international, William Osula, may take fans by surprise, especially when the side interested is one of Premier League calibre in Newcastle United.
Osula, who has just turned 21, has made only 52 senior appearances since joining Sheffield United’s academy back in 2018.
The headline of Osula’s career was his loan to Derby County, where the striker made 21 appearances in all competitions and bagged himself five goals
However, when Osula returned to Bramall Lane in 2023, the Blades had earned promotion to the Premier League, squashing Osula’s potential playing time.
Osula was only handed nine Premier League starts last campaign and failed to find the back of the net in 784 minutes of football as Sheffield United slumped to a rock-bottom finish.
The ex-Derby loanee did get off the mark for United last season, netting three goals in the FA Cup, albeit two of those goals were against League Two side, Gillingham.
Newcastle United reportedly had an eye-watering £10 million deal agreed for Osula
Despite his lack of proven goalscoring pedigree, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have agreed a deal with Sheffield United for Osula, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the deal with his signature ‘here we go’, stating that the Magpies would pay £10 million plus £5 million in add-ons for the young striker.
The Times revealed that despite the eight-figure fee set to be paid for Osula, the Danish striker would initially be a squad member under Eddie Howe, undoubtedly with the view of utilising the 21-year-old in cup competitions.
Newcastle’s move is in doubt
Journalist Alan Nixon (paywall) has announced that a potential takeover of recently relegated side, Sheffield United, could throw a last-minute obstacle in the way of any deal regarding William Osula, with the club’s prospective owners perceiving the striker as one for the future.
The Athletic reported upon a potential takeover of Sheffield United on the 31st of July, confirming that the Blades have been for sale for the past two years and that US-based Englishmen, Tom Page and Dominic Hughes, were already completing the EFL’s Owner and Directors test in preparation for a takeover, albeit still some way off happening.
Page and Hughes, according to Alan Nixon (paywall) had been advising the club on current targets and sales, with a clear indication of wanting to keep Osula.