‘Newcastle take Wilson contract option off table amid Joao Pedro chase at Brighton’
Callum Wilson’s future at Newcastle United appears to have been ended despite suggestions of a new deal as new striker targets emerge at St James’ Park.
Alexander Isak, who Newcastle are now confident of keeping this summer, Football Insider understands, is the Magpies’ pride and joy, having netted 62 goals in 109 games since joining from Real Sociedad.
While his striker partner has been at the club since 2020, his appearances have been few and far between this season, making just two Premier League starts, mainly due to injury.
Despite his problems, the experienced centre-forward still managed 18 goals during 2022/23 and another 10 goals in 2023/24, though the numbers significantly dropped to just a single goal this season.
Callum Wilson contract tabled despite injury crisis
Having had his 2024/25 campaign derailed by injury, i News reported (26 May) that Newcastle could offer an incentive-based contract to Wilson after opting against triggering the automatic extension in his current deal.
The Magpies are set for another season in the Champions League, while also wanting to improve upon their fifth-place finish in the Premier League this term.
An experienced striker with Wilson’s experience and knowledge could be incredibly useful to Eddie Howe and his team, but with no end in sight for his injury problems, the club are clearly searching for replacements after all.
Mohammed Kudus, Jack Grealish, and Man United-bound winger Bryan Mbeumo have all been linked in recent weeks, and now Brighton’s Joao Pedro appears to be the latest target for the Magpies.
According to Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, via X (3 June), Pedro has gained interest from those at St James’ Park, with Howe wanting to bring in another striker, whether Isak or Wilson depart or not.
Joao Pedro emerges as concrete target for Newcastle United
With 30 goals and 10 assists in his first two seasons at the Amex Stadium, it is really no surprise to see increasing interest in the 23-year-old Brazilian.
The Seagulls narrowly missing out on European qualification should help the Magpies’ quest to sign the talented forward, but the move also throws massive doubt over the tabled contract for Wilson.
Pedro will be in no mood to spend the majority of games as a back-up, much like Wilson has done when fit enough to sit on the bench, but his joining the squad would send the 33-year-old further down the pecking order if he were to stick around.
If Howe is to bring another striker option into the team this summer, it makes much less sense to offer a new contract to their current back-up option, especially with the Champions League on the horizon again.
Wilson has done an incredible job since arriving at St James’ Park, at least when he has been fit enough to feature, but now seems like the ideal time to part ways with the club in favour of a new journey.
If the pursuit of Pedro is set to turn into concrete action it looks like plans to retain the Englishman on a new, specialised deal have been shelved, possibly permanently.