Newcastle United striker deal blocked after Champions League club approach

The 21-year-old has attracted loan interest during the January transfer window, with Austrian side SK Sturm Graz reportedly among the clubs to have enquired.

Osula has been limited to just 13 appearances and two starts, both of which have come in cup competitions, since joining from Championship out Sheffield United in the summer for £15million.

The Denmark youth international has found himself behind Alexander Isak and even Anthony Gordon in the striker pecking order and will slip further down when Callum Wilson returns this week.

Regular game time could benefit Osula, but Howe believes keeping him around the Magpies’ first-team squad will benefit him more.

“At the moment, I see that balance very firmly that he needs to be here with us,” said Howe. “He needs the training with us, he needs the understanding, and he needs the development that we’re trying to give him.

“Will is a multi-talented player. I don’t see him just being a number nine, he has played wide before, so that is an option that we could look at. I think he’s doing well. He’s on track, and he is developing.

“Obviously, looking at him as a striker, he’s competing with Alex for a place, which isn’t something you would necessarily want to be doing at the minute, with Alex’s form.

“But in some senses, and I said this to Will when he signed, he’s learning off two of the best strikers that he could currently work with, and he needs to absorb as much information from both Alex and Callum, two great role models for him, to help him in his development.

“He’s very much here at the moment, although of course beyond this season, we will try to take the best steps that benefit Will and us.”

Using Will Osula in a wide position

With Miguel Almiron last week joining Atlanta United and Harvey Barnes sidelined until the middle of February, Newcastle are short of options in the wide areas.

When asked who is back-up to Jacob Murphy on the right hand side of attack, Howe namechecked Osula as a potential solution.

Howe said: “I don't think there is a natural player, we'll look at a few different options. Joelinton has played wide for us this season. As I said, Will Osula could possibly [play there], we'll have a look at that.

“But I don't think we have a huge queue of players that naturally wouldn't necessarily excel playing on the right, but we'll have to find a solution, of course.

“We need support for Jacob, he's not going to be able to play every minute of every game, and we also need to push him. We'll look at the academy and see if there's anyone there who deserves an opportunity - we'll look at all options.”