Newcastle United are not planning to sell Will Osula this summer despite Aston Villa’s late interest in the striker after his late-season surge under Eddie Howe.
Osula started the campaign behind Nick Woltemade in the pecking order, but he ended it as Newcastle’s most effective centre-forward.
His recent run seems to have changed the Magpies’ stance on his potential sale at a time when several senior players could leave St James’ Park for higher fees while already deeper into their careers and already in his prime
or past it.
“Will Osula is not set to be sold by Newcastle United this summer despite interest from Aston Villa after forcing his way into Eddie Howe’s starting eleven,” Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reported on May 23.
The 22-year-old scored five goals in his final seven Premier League appearances, strengthening his position in the squad and increasing outside interest before the summer window.
Aston Villa have shown interest in the Denmark international, but Newcastle’s position appears firm.
“It’s going to be very difficult for Aston Villa or anybody else to get him out now,” O’Rourke said. “You’d probably say Osula is the first-choice striker for Eddie Howe now.”
Osula is under contract until 2029, giving Newcastle control over the situation. He was this close to leaving Tyneside last summer, when Eintracht Frankfurt had a loan bid with a £28.5million option, but the Magpies canned that deal at the last second following the sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
“As of right now, I don’t think Newcastle will even be considering letting Osula go,” O’Rourke said. “He’s still only 22, under contract until 2029 as well. Newcastle are very happy with Osula’s progress.”
Newcastle are still expected to target another forward this summer, which might place Osula back to the bottom of the depth chart again, but the young forward seems to be one of Howe’s favorites, so he’s unlikely to go anywhere.
