Alexander Isak is now the only recognised senior striker at the club
Callum Wilson is searching for a new club after leaving Newcastle United
(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United and Callum Wilson have parted ways after failing to agree on a fresh contract to keep him at the club beyond the summer, leaving Alexander Isak as the only recognised senior striker at the club.
It's a squad issue that needs resolved but some fans in the Chronicle Live comments section are, in a sense, glad to see a situation that will force the Magpies' hand in the summer transfer window.
Wilson and the club have been negotiating over a heavily incentivised contract, but the club have announced that he will now leave the club. Repeated injury issues and the rise of Alexander Isak have limited his impact in recent times, but he was a key part of the team that secured Champions League football again back in 2022/'23, scoring 18 times in 31 league appearances.
This leaves Newcastle with an issue if Isak is injured or needs rest over the course of a busy campaign, including European football. Youngsters William Osula and Sean Neave could take that backup spot, but Eddie Howe could decide that their development is better served elsewhere.
It's an intriguing new problem to solve for many fans. Reader Blubber says: "We have let Wilson go, so I must assume we have someone else lined up. Otherwise we are one misjudgement away from being in the situation that Kenny was in all those years ago, when we sold Sir Les and immediately Shearer promptly did his ligaments in the centre circle in a pointless game at Goodison, and we were left without a centre forward.
"There's now a bit of a gap beneath Isak. Neave is advancing faster than Osula, and could be great, but he's a teenager and still a bit of a shrimp."
Commenter Nellben writes: "How do we bring in another top level striker, when they are going to play second fiddle to probably a 'top five in the world' striker. Add to that, people want Osula to be given more time and if we get another striker then there is even less chance of that."
DurbanSkyslot reckons the timing is tricky for the club: "Should have been sold after the season he got 18 goals, a more savvy club would have cashed in while his stock was high. Eddie is hopeless at letting players go and the upshot of this situation is we are a squad member down receiving not a penny for Wilson! We now have to go out spending a fortune to replace Callum!"
One option that has become available is striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is now a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Everton. He finds himself in a similar position to Wilson, where injury has limited his impact but he can point to seasons where he's been the main man for his team.
Few think he'd be a sure bet. Axepete says: "I do not know one Newcastle fan who wants us to sign Calvert-Lewin... and I know hundreds of Newcastle fans. When he is fit and injury-free, DCL is a decent enough striker... the problem, however, is he is never fit and injury-free.
"He would end up costing us without contributing enough. Surely there are far better options out there. Personally, I would rather take a punt on Evan Ferguson. He has all the attributes and under Eddie Howe, I believe his great potential would be fulfilled."
Archie1892 writes: "What is the point of signing Calvert-Lewin after we have just offloaded Wilson? Because Calvert-Lewin, although being younger than Wilson, spends just as much time on the physio table."
It could work out for Voiceofreason1892: "I'm not against Calvert-Lewin on a free, but not for six figures a week. He's got five years on Wilson, but he's equally as injury prone! He needs a solid pre-season and managed minutes to build his core strength, but he'd be a great option for the Carabao Cup, FA cup early rounds etc. to give Isak a rest.
"We've got to box clever with PSR, and we have a world class striker. I doubt you're going to get another world class striker to come in and compete with Isak, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong!"
Have your say! How do you replace Callum Wilson and give reliable backup to Alexander Isak? Comment below and join in on the conversation.