Newcastle United's Callum Wilson
Newcastle United's Callum Wilson
Callum Wilson's future remains a topic of conversation on Tyneside after the end of his Newcastle United contract.
Wilson is a free agent this summer after his deal with the Magpies expired. The striker didn't play enough games to have a one-year extension and Newcastle have decided against offering him an extension on the same terms.
However, the club has opened talks with the player's representatives over a fresh deal, which would be on reduced terms but with incentives.
Wilson, who joined Newcastle in 2019 from Bournemouth, now has a dilemma on his hands. Stay and play a bit-part in the club's Champions League campaign or move elsewhere at the age of 33 and find a club who can offer him regular starts.
Leeds United, Birmingham City and Wrexham have all been linked with the former England international. He won't be short on offers and has spoken about his difficulties in playing back-up to Alexander Isak. That is only going to continue, and Wilson will be even further down the pecking order should United - as expected - sign a new striker this summer. They have missed out on Liam Delap but have other options they are exploring.
Wilson's situation is similar to two years ago when Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie signed new one-year deals. Both stayed at Newcastle to provide cover, experience and help with the dressing room dynamic but ultimately barely kicked a ball. Dummett started two League Cup games against Man City and Man United and made six very late substitute appearances, while Ritchie made 17 appearances in total, 16 from the bench and one start against Man Utd too.
However, Ritchie was left out of Newcastle's Champions League squad that season. Dummett was included as 'club-trained' player but didn't feature in the prestigious competition.
It leaves Wilson with much to ponder as other offers roll in. Here's everything that's been said on the situation.
What has Callum Wilson said?
"You go from being first choice striker to then being second choice striker,” he told the High Performance Podcast.
“Every game there is not even a contest on who starts at the moment, and rightly so. In my absence over the last 18 months, Alex has just gone to another level which is fantastic for the team. It’s helped us improve so much.
“Then obviously my role changes and you have to put your pride and ego to the side, put the team first and know what the team needs in that moment. If I can’t be a big part on the pitch, what can you do off it? How can you help other players? How can you still be you without acting and being disappointed?
“It’s difficult, but I think I’m getting the balance right. I’ve gone through dips and all sorts of emotions, especially being out of contract in the summer.
"There’s a lot of emotions throughout this season that have been different challenges to face and new challenges that I’ve never faced before.”
What has Eddie Howe said?
“Let’s wait and see. We’re going to sit down and talk with his representatives.
“What I can say is that Callum Wilson is, and has been, an incredible footballer for Newcastle. He’s someone who epitomises the spirit that has got us to where we are.
“He’s professional, brave – to come here and be the number nine in the manner and the moment he did, it was a difficult moment in the club’s history. The club needed hope – and Callum gave them hope. He dealt with the pressure and responsibility that role brings unbelievably well.
“He brings a positivity to the group, he’s a leader within the changing room, he’s just been incredible. Let’s wait and see what happens, but it was great to see him have that relationship with the supporters. There’s still so much respect there between the two.”
"The same people coming back to form the same squad is not healthy," Howe admitted while speaking more generally. "But that's always very difficult to do because you're always losing people that in some cases have given you absolutely everything in every moment, in every training session and every game. Some people who have done unbelievable things to help you achieve success.
"But sometimes the best thing for you and for them is to actually part ways. It's not necessarily a negative thing for either party. We're in that position where we need healthy change to the squad."
What is the link with Wrexham?
Hollywood-backed Wrexham have been linked with a move for Wilson. The Welsh side, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, were promoted from League One and are aiming to take the Championship by storm and reach the Premier League.
Former Newcastle midfielder Didi Hamman thinks Wilson and Wrexham could be a match made in heaven. He said: "Callum Wilson would absolutely be a great signing for Wrexham. Newcastle will probably improve their squad for next season and it will be even harder to get game time.
"For Wrexham, if they want to get promoted into the Premier League they will probably need to have a Premier League level squad given the quality of the teams at the top of the Championship.
"So they will be looking at Premier League players and we’ve seen teams do back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League in recent years, Wrexham could be a similar story.
"A player like Callum Wilson with that experience, he will be able to keep the level up in the Championship and teach the young lads, I could see that signing being a success."