According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle United have opened new contract talks with their star striker Callum Wilson, as they look to extend his stay following his outstanding contributions at St James’ Park.
The Coventry-born goal machine has had no trouble keeping up with his position competitor Alexander Isak since the Swede arrived last summer to push Wilson for his starting spot in the forward line.
Eddie Howe and his Saudi bosses have spent the last 18 months injecting a new lease of life into the North East club and investing heavily to fast-track a brighter future for Newcastle, which has paid off massively in a short period of time.
Howe led the side to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and the Magpies reached their first major cup final in over 20 years when they faced Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup final back in February, now they will compete with some of the very best in their return to Champions League football.
Drawing Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in their group, Newcastle have a real task on their hands to overcome some of the biggest clubs in the world who have rich experience playing on the elite European stage.
The acquisition of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Anthony Gordon and Isak has had a huge impact on the performances and progress that Newcastle have made in just one full season under the former Bournemouth boss.
However, the staggering improvements of many of those who were already at the club before the lucrative take-over has been a testament to Howe’s incredible player development and coaching skills, with Wilson one of the stand-out performers over the last 12 months.
Now, it is looking like Wilson will remain a huge part of the future at St James’ with reports revealing that he will be given an opportunity to sign a new contract, as talks begin to extend his stay on Tyneside, according to TEAMtalk.
It has been claimed by the publication that Howe is a huge admirer of the striker after working with him at Bournemouth as well as Newcastle, and would like to continue their working relationship by offering the 31-year-old an extension beyond the final year on his current contract.
Our verdict on a new contract for Callum Wilson…
There is no doubt that Wilson has been a huge contributor to the success that has been achieved already at the club, and if he can continue to thrive whilst competing with Isak in front of goal, there is no reason why he can’t continue to be an invaluable asset.
Last season, the Newcastle frontman delivered 18 goals and registered five assists over 36 appearances with a goal contribution every 98 minutes, and this season has already scored two goals in the opening four Premier League fixtures played, proving that he remains a crucial component in Howe’s attacking threat.
Indeed, Isak is becoming a more frequent starter following his explosive impact in the final third, but offers a different approach to the centre-forward role.
The 23-year-old uses his pace and directness to pose a threat to opponents higher up the pitch by carrying the ball effortlessly into dangerous areas, whilst Wilson is more of a poacher – disciplined in his positioning but using his experience to create space for his teammates who deliver goal-scoring opportunities into the box for the striker to finish.
With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Newcastle to extend Wilson’s stay at St James’ Park by offering him a new contract this season, as he has proven time and time again that he can still provide crucial match-winning goals in the front line across all competitions.
