Leeds United could now step up plans to sign a free agent striker who’s been heavily linked with the club. But the Whites could face strong competition from a certain Premier League rival.
Leeds United look poised to sign another striker despite the arrival of Lukas Nmecha last month, and there have already been several strikers linked with Leeds so far this summer.
Daniel Farke has a £150million transfer budget at Leeds United this summer but he’s already made use of the free agent market with the signing of Nmecha, and he looks set to make more use of it.
Player contracts ended at the end of June and so players are now available and ready to move on, though some have been in talks over renewal with their previous clubs.
That seems to be the case at Elland Road with Sam Byram who looks set to stay at Leeds, though no official confirmation has been made over whether the full-back stays or goes this summer.
But we have official confirmation over Callum Wilson at Newcastle United.
Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson before a Premier League game against Everton.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
What Andy Jacobs said on Callum Wilson’s future amid Leeds United transfer links
On Monday, journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Wilson will leave Newcastle United as a free agent this summer. Latst month there were reports that Wilson was in talks over a new contract with the club, on a sort of pay-as-you-play basis. But the 33-year-old is leaving St James’ Park and Leeds United have been linked with a move for Wilson.
Leeds aren’t the only ones interested in signing the nine-cap former England man, though. West Ham have also been strongly linked with Wilson and talkSPORT pundit Andy Jacobs believes that Wilson to West Ham could be a certainty following his Newcastle exit.
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Speaking live on air on Monday evening, Paul Hawksbee said: “We heard today that Callum Wilson is leaving Newcastle. Andy’s [Jacobs] response to that was ‘he’s got West Ham written all over him’. That may or may not be true – we’ll find out.”
What was Callum Wilson earning at Newcastle United?
The main worry for Leeds fans where a deal for Wilson is regarded might be his wages: a staggering £110,000-a-week at Newcastle United, per Salary Sport, during his five years with the north-east club.
But it’s safe to assume that Leeds would not pay anywhere near that amount, and that Wilson wouldn’t expect anything near that amount from his next club, especially if he stays in the Premier League.
The Leeds United players received pay rises following promotion. It’s understood that some of the top-earners are now earning close to the £70,000-a-week mark, though even that amount for Wilson each week could be a gamble, especially given his injury record.
Season Games missed through injury
2024/25 29
2023/24 28
2022/23 9
2021/22 30
2020/21 18
But Wilson certainly has Premier League pedigree and if Leeds can beat West Ham to the punch, and get him on a deal that doesn’t break the bank, then it could be a solid signing for Farke this summer.