Newcastle United told to U-turn on Callum Wilson decision after talks update – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Newcastle should delay contract talks with Callum Wilson until the January transfer window in 2023.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Magpies should look to keep 29-year-old “hungry” and “hard-working” in the first half of the 2022-23 season.
According to the Daily Mirror (3 July), Newcastle are preparing to open contract talks with Wilson in order to secure the England international’s long-term future.
The report claims that Eddie Howe is a “huge fan” of the forward – who has two years left to run on his current deal.
Wilson notched eight goals in 18 Premier League appearances during the 2021-22 campaign but was sidelined for more than half of the season through hamstring and calf injuries.
Whelan claimed Howe is trying to keep the nucleus of his squad together despite bringing in a number of big-money stars this summer.
“He’s really struggled with injury and with availability during his time at Newcastle,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“A new contract is probably on the cards, but I would have thought that would be discussed around the January window.
“You need to keep that hunger in a player, keep him working hard. When it gets to a year and a half left, and he’s had a great first half of the season – that is when clubs usually think about pulling the trigger and rewarding a player.
“But Newcastle don’t want to start losing players and they’re thinking with this two-year plan to try and keep this squad together.
“They’re covering their bases. Hopefully he can start the season strongly if he does end up being given a new deal.”
In other news, Football Insider updates as Newcastle United and Leicester City race to sign Ligue 1 star.