Newcastle United in talks over January exit as player agrees five-year contract
Will Osula is Newcastle United’s third choice striker behind Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Newcastle United striker Will Osula has reportedly agreed to join Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 22-year-old was close to leaving on summer deadline day after both Aston Villa and Frankfurt approached the Magpies over a transfer.
Villa had been leading the chase initially but after UEFA financial rules prevented Unai Emery’s side from doing a deal, Osula was set to join Frankfurt for £30million. However, negotiations broke down when the German club instead requested a season-long loan with an option to buy.
And that proved to be a blessing in disguise for United as a week later, £55million summer signing Yoane Wissa picked up a posterior cruciate ligament injury on international duty with DR Congo.
In Wissa’s absence, Osula battled an ankle injury to support £69m club-record signing Nick Woltemade up top, however has since succumbed to that injury having missed the 11 matches.
Will Osula agrees to join Eintracht Frankfurt - Sky Germany
Osula is targeting a return in January, which could soon be with a new club. Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims the striker has agreed personal terms with Frankfurt while they continue negotiations with Newcastle.
Plettenberg wrote on X: “Eintracht Frankfurt and Newcastle are continuing negotiations over a loan deal with a purchase option for William #Osula.
“The 22 y/o striker wants the move, is in agreement with #SGE and is waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement. #NUFC@SkySportDE”.
German newspaper Bild reported last month that Osula has agreed a five-year contract with a salary package of around €2.5million (£2.1m).
Eddie Howe confirms Will Osula almost left Newcastle United in the summer
Reflecting on Osula almost leaving in the summer, Howe explained: “It was quite close for him that he could have left, in a variety of ways, whether that was a loan, which was always our preference because I think from our view, we wanted Will to play.
“We wanted him to continue his development, which he did brilliantly last year, because I think he committed to a path of limited game time, but big training time.
“A lot of work with Graeme Jones, a lot of reviewing his performances, then a lot of putting work into action. And the next step for me was for him to try and play regularly. So that was the aim, and especially with us bringing two strikers in, the thought was that he could continue that development best on the football pitch.
“Obviously, it didn't happen, and much to our relief, it didn't happen because obviously, Yoane picked up an injury. And Will's vitally important. We believe in his talents.
“He's got speed. I think you could see that when he came on the pitch the other day. I mean, he's quick, he's athletic, but also I think what he's added is, just through the continued attitude he's had to his training, a lot now of better know-how in terms of how to manage game situations.
“He's benefited from that, and he's coming on the pitch looking like the complete package.”