Newcastle United transfers: William Osula wouldn’t rule out a potential summer exit from the club despite his recent heroics against Manchester United.
William Osula came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner for 10-man Newcastle United against Manchester United on Wednesday night.
It came after a difficult spell on the sidelines for the 22-year-old, who was ruled out for around three months with an ankle injury.
Osula was close to leaving Newcastle at the start of the season with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt havinig a deadline day deal lined up before a late U-turn. Aston Villa have also been credited with an interest in the Danish forward but were unable to secure a deal last summer due to UEFA’s financial rules.
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William Osula close to NUFC exit last summer
Villa withdrew from completing a move when it became apparent that a deal would offset the £39million received from Newcastle for Jacob Ramsey in UEFA’s financial calculations. UEFA rules would have viewed any move for Osula as a ‘swap deal’ in financial terms due to the transfer of Ramsey only weeks prior.
But Villa could return in the summer for Osula, unrestricted by UEFA’s rules while Frankfurt’s interest also remains. Reports from Germany during the January transfer window claimed that Osula had already agreed to join Frankfurt on a five-year deal, but an agreement was not reached between the clubs with the player out injured.
Explaining the failed summer exit for Osula, Howe said: “It was quite close for him that he could have left, in a variety of ways, whether that was a loan, which was always our preference because I think from our view, we wanted Will to play.
“We wanted him to continue his development, which he did brilliantly last year, because I think he committed to a path of limited game time, but big training time.
“A lot of work with Graeme Jones, a lot of reviewing his performances, then a lot of putting work into action. And the next step for me was for him to try and play regularly. So that was the aim, and especially with us bringing two strikers in, the thought was that he could continue that development best on the football pitch.
“Obviously, it didn't happen, and much to our relief, it didn't happen because obviously, Yoane [Wissa] picked up an injury. And Will's vitally important. We believe in his talents.”
Newcastle United will consider William Osula transfer this summer - on one condition
While Osula has found regular first-team football limited at Newcastle since his £10million arrival from Sheffield United in 2024, the club still value his ability and potential to improve.
And Osula’s failed summer transfer ultimately proved to be a fortunate turn of events for Newcastle and an unfortunate one for Manchester United as he came off the bench late on to score a dramatic winner. His match-winning cameo was the perfect example of his pace, power and finishing ability. It was the 22-year-old’s sixth goal for Newcastle in 43 appearances, though only seven of those have been starts.
Howe said in January: “The only way that we would consider [Osula leaving] would be for his development and growth in terms of benefiting his career to playbut always with a view to him coming back to us.”
So either a loan exit for Osula or a deal with a buy-back option for Newcastle.
And when asked directly about his future at Newcastle, Osula wouldn’t rule out an exit but remains focused on the job at hand.
“Right now the focus is here, now, today,” he said. “The next focus is the Man City game.
“No-one can tell the future. I'm obviously at Newcastle, so that's been the focus until that's not the case"
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