PIF blocked Newcastle United deadline day exit after £30m transfer U-turn
Will Osula almost left Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.
Newcastle United’s owners reportedly blocked Will Osula from leaving on transfer deadline day.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a positive start to the new campaign, with his brace in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Bradford City in the Carabao Cup third round taking his goal tally to three.
Osula is currently the Magpies’ top scorer in all competitions, having also netted in the late 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St James’ Park last month.
That said, Osula has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Eddie Howe’s starting XI since arriving from Sheffield United for £15million last year. He made just three starts last season, while his start at Leeds United last month was his first in the Premier League for Newcastle.
Newcastle United PIF owners block Will Osula exit
Less than 48 hours after the Leeds game, Osula was on the brink of leaving. Aston Villa showed a genuine interest early on deadline day before Eintracht Frankfurt emerged as the frontrunners.
Mail Sport reports that the two clubs first agreed a £30m permanent transfer, which included a buy-back option for Newcastle, before the terms changed to a season-long loan move with an option to buy.
The move was still set to go through but Newcastle’s Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia owners instructed for it to be cancelled. The report adds that despite the loan fee being in excess of £6m, PIF believed the new terms favoured Frankfurt more.
And it turned out to be the correct decision, with £55m new signing Yoane Wissa yet to make his debut after being ruled out until October with a knee injury.
Eddie Howe admits ‘turbulent’ summer for Will Osula
Speaking after the Bradford win, Howe admitted it had been a ‘slightly turbulent’ transfer window for Osula.
Howe said: “Yeah, he's progressing really well. It was a slightly turbulent transfer window for him.
“I thought he took his goals really well today. I think he's been, slowly but surely, improving his game. I think you can see today it wasn't just the goals. It was link play, hold up play, pressing, understanding. All the things that, when you're at the top of the pitch, are fundamental to the team's performance, he has to deliver.
“I thought he delivered them all well. He's got the attributes to play wide as well. I'm pleased to see him go into that position and then score.
“He's very driven. Will's got a great attitude to his work, a great attitude to his career. I think he's very ambitious. He wants to play, as all the players do.
“But I think he's now justifying that by his training performances and when he plays on the pitch. I think we've done a lot of work with him and we'll continue to do that with him for his benefit to try and get him to be the very best player that he can be.”