Newcastle are planning to keep Will Osula at the club beyond this summer, Confidential understands.
Interest in the 22-year-old has been extensive, at home and abroad, and he nearly joined Frankfurt in a £30million deal last August.
Given his current form – three goals in his last four starts in the Premier League – that interest will only intensify in the coming weeks. Aston Villa also had a deal agreed last summer, while Everton, Crystal Palace, Bayern Munich and Leverkusen have also checked on his situation.
However, Newcastle know that to sell Osula, even though he would likely command a fee north of £40m, would leave them with a problem in terms of a replacement.
As one source said: ‘We’d be looking to replace Will Osula with Will Osula!’ Staff have also been impressed by his recent impact and believe there is more improvement to come.
One issue that is likely to emerge is the value of the contracts being presented to Osula’s representatives by those interested clubs, and an expectation that he is rewarded with an improved deal should he remain on Tyneside.
But the Dane is two years into a five-year contract and, for now, we understand there are no plans from a club perspective to negotiate new terms.
Newcastle are planning to keep promising striker Will Osula this summer despite interest from a host of clubs
Truth about Liam links
Liam Delap is a striker Newcastle would be willing to explore a move for this summer – but the message remains that he is not for sale and does not want to leave Chelsea.
There have been a fresh wave of reports this week linking the Magpies with the 23-year-old, and Confidential revealed last month that he has been among the names discussed inside St James’ Park.
Sources in west London have hinted that Chelsea’s stance could change once they enter the market and begin trading, but Newcastle are not prepared to gamble on that and have other attacking targets in mind.
Gap between Gordon valuations
I have been in Munich this week and can reveal that Bayern have now made contact with Newcastle over Anthony Gordon.
The winger’s camp will maintain dialogue with Newcastle in the coming weeks and the direction of travel is a summer move, with the Bundesliga champions at the front of the queue. The asking price remains a sticking point, however. Sources in Germany say the disparity in value is as big as £20m.
Newcastle also have to consider Everton’s sell-on clause, which is 15 per cent of the profit. It is important to differentiate, given some reports have claimed Everton would take 15 per cent of any sale. Rather, they take a slice of the fee above the £45m Newcastle paid in 2023.
For example, a £75m deal would see the Toffees bank £4.5m.
The direction of travel on Anthony Gordon’s future is a summer exit, though Newcastle have to consider their sell-on clause with Everton
Woltemade frustrated – but doesn’t want out
Should Gordon leave – and that is not certain – he would want to do so on good terms with the club, staff and supporters. For now, he is trying to win back his place in the side after returning from a minor hip injury.
There has also been a lot of noise around Nick Woltemade here in Germany this week, with claims he will push for a summer exit.
My information is that the striker is frustrated by his lack of playing time of late and believes he is worth a more prominent role. His camp were in attendance at the weekend when he was an unused substitute during the 3-1 win over Brighton.
However, sources have played down the idea of him wanting to leave. What he wants, between now and the end of the season, is more minutes on the pitch.
Beyond that, though, there is uncertainty, given the manner in which his first season has played out. A good World Cup with Germany could bring an offer to the table, and that would leave all sides with a decision to make.
Nick Woltemade has been frustrated by his lack of game time of late, but my sources have played down suggestions he wants to leave
UEFA fine update
Newcastle will be hit with a UEFA fine for breaching financial rules, but Confidential understands the figures quoted have been too high.
Aston Villa’s £9.5m UEFA fine has been used as a yardstick, but sources close to the European body expect Newcastle’s punishment to be around half that amount.
That would be a victory of sorts for the club’s hierarchy, given that every penny counts when it comes to pushing back on the boundaries of UEFA and Premier League spending restrictions.
One thing to clear up – if Newcastle aren’t in European competition next season, it does not mean they can spend more freely. The Premier League’s Squad Cost Ratio, at 85 per cent, more lenient than UEFA’s 70 per cent. That is because they would have to fall in line with UEFA’s limits the following season if returning to Europe.
Academy signings
Finally, some big news out of the academy, with former Sunderland assistant boss James Fowler set to arrive as scouting operations manager, Confidential can reveal.
The 45-year-old will be responsible for the European scouting operation and will work closely with Paul Midgley, the academy recruitment director, and Paul McLaren, the academy scouting director.
Fowler is currently the head of academy scouting at Rangers and his appointment comes as Newcastle make a bigger push at identifying the best European talent between the ages of 15 and 18. There is hope that this summer could see ambitious moves for one or two players in this bracket in a bid to get ahead of rivals.
Former Kilmarnock midfielder and Sunderland assistant James Fowler (pictured) will join Newcastle as scouting operations manager
Also set to arrive is Scott Mitchell, as a senior academy scout also focusing on players aged between 15 and 18. His remit will be across the UK and Europe. The 40-year-old is currently head of first-team recruitment at Oxford United.
Meanwhile, on the way out of the academy this month is Harvey Busby. The 23-year-old was a technical scout at Newcastle but has now landed a bigger role at Manchester United as lead national scout for the Under 14-16 age groups.
Newcastle are relaxed about Busby’s move and believe it points to successful staff development within the academy set-up. Newcastle scout Delroy Ebanks was appointed as Chelsea’s head of academy recruitment in 2024.
