Leeds United in doubt as Callum Wilson accepts fresh role - Newcastle United exit imminent
Callum Wilson is attracting interest from Leeds United despite being offered a fresh Newcastle United contract.
Callum Wilson has accepted a punditry role with DAZN just 17 days before his Newcastle United contract ends.
The 33-year-old’s new role will see him give his thoughts on games at the Club World Cup this summer. A controversial competition, critics have viewed the revamped format as a money-grab - with the combined prize pot for all 32 teams worth around £800million.
Players have also bemoaned the added fixture demands at the end of a gruelling campaign. The legitimacy has also been questioned, with the likes of Inter Miami - Lionel Messi’s team - squeezing a spot in the tournament.
Callum Wilson becomes DAZN pundit
Nevertheless, FIFA promises a glitz and glamour event that will attract some of the sport’s leading names and whet the football appetite for supporters across the world. Toon ace Wilson will also dip his toe into the punditry sphere for the first time after penning a deal with DAZN.
Brazilian icon Ronaldo as well as high-profile names like Christian Vieiri and Claude Makelele will be on punditry duties alongside Wilson. A statement from DAZN read: "Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers, Olivia Buzaglo and James Richardson will host alongside pundits including John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Christian Vieri, Ronaldo, Shay Given, Callum Wilson, Claude Makélélé, Kleberson, Mamadou Sakho, and Lianne Sanderson.
"Meanwhile, Conor McNamara, Rich Wolfenden, Dan O’Hagan, Mike Minay, Pete Odgers, Brandon Smith, Joe Speight, and Jess Charman will commentate alongside co-commentators Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Green, Danny Higginbotham, Don Hutchison, Jonas Olsson, and Anita Asante."
Callum Wilson on Newcastle United future
Wilson accepted his role as second fiddle at St James’ Park while leaving the door about a possible exit when speaking last month. He told the High Performance podcast: “I’m comfortable now. Financially, thankfully, I’m stable so that’s not an issue.
“I know I’m still able to provide for my family and put food on the table for them. I know my worth and I know my value and I’m still so hungry inside that even though I know Alex is scoring goals, I’m still frustrated when the team sheet comes out and I’m not starting so I know I’m not ready to leave football yet.
“I’d love to leave football before football leaves me, I’d never let an injury stop me from playing. I think I’ve been fit now for four-and-a-half months but I’ve probably only played 250 or 300 minutes and that side of things is frustrating because you don’t want the last few years of your career to fizzle away from you, especially when you’ve worked so hard to get to that point.”
“It’s all new for me at the moment but I’m just enjoying life, enjoying football and playing with a smile on my face. What’s meant to be will be.”
Leeds United interested
Leeds United are reportedly considering an approach for the England international. However, his commitments at the Club World Cup could throw any potential deal into doubt.
The final does not take place until July 13 - by that time Wilson will no longer be contracted to Newcastle. He is understood to have been offered an incentivised deal at a lower rate and has been considering his options.