One of the most interesting stories that flew relatively under the radar on a dramatic deadline day was the immediate future of Will Osula.
The striker failed to impress against Leeds United last weekend having been given the nod from the start, which was quickly followed by the signings of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, leaving Osula’s route to starts in serious jeopardy.
At one point on deadline day, Craig Hope reported that the 22-year-old was ‘on the verge’ of a £30m move to Frankfurt, although that deal collapsed and UEFA rules blocked a proposed switch to Aston Villa, according to David Ornstein.
But now, there are reports from abroad that one of the interested clubs could return with a fresh bid in January, also offering some very different claims on the figures involved…
According to German paper BILD, Eintract Frankfurt will return to the table for Willa Osula in January, having failed to sign him this summer.
In a move that BILD considers to be “likely”, it’s believed the former Europa League winners had previously wanted the Dane on a loan deal for the season.
Despite suggestions that £30m was offered, the German outlet states that Newcastle were demanding a £4.3m loan fee, which would’ve been a record figure for the Bundesliga club, plus an obligation to buy set at £17.3m.
This would’ve made the overall package worth £21.6m, but it’s believed the obligation to buy was deemed ‘too risky’ for Frankfurt at the time.
However, it seems that won’t deter their interest and they are set to return in the New Year with a new bid, with Osula likely to be on the lookout for game time now Woltemade, Wissa and Elanga will limit his opportunities either up top or on the right wing.
Fans everywhere can all agree that Osula, though still very raw, has plenty of potential as a 6ft 4″ forward with pace, power and quick feet.
However, that’s simply not the player we can afford to start our big games right now. He doesn’t have the Premier League experience of Yoane Wissa, and it would be a bold decision to start him over club-record signing Woltemade any time soon.
A loan spell in Germany could be great for the former Sheffield United star’s development, however, it may be a bad time for Newcastle to consider a loan, with Wissa set to be away from late December and much of January at AFCON.