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Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle’s hierarchy it will cost a lot of money to replace Callum Wilson, should the club decide to sell him this summer.
The 32-year-old is entering the final 12 months of his contract and there is an expectation he will move on before next season.
Wilson’s record, when fit, is unquestionable, and he has scored 46 times from 77 starts in black and white. He went to the 2022 World Cup with England on the back of a scoring streak at the start of last season.
However, the striker has started just eight of Newcastle’s 32 Premier League games this season and he will return from a two-month lay-off, after suffering a pectoral injury, at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Howe faced questions about the player’s future on the eve of that game.
‘It’s undoubted how I feel about Callum, how I feel about his qualities and what he can offer the team,’ said the head coach. ‘If you lose a player of that quality, to then find a player of equal standard will cost the club a lot of money.
Eddie Howe (left) has warned Newcastle against the FFP implications of selling Callum Wilson
Wilson is entering the last 12 months of his contract soon but has suffered multiple injuries
‘That’s always the big talking point about any business we do in the summer. If you lose a player, how can you replace him with the same quality with Financial Fair Play implications around the corner? There’s a lot to think about.’
Alexander Isak has run into brilliant form in Wilson’s absence, taking his tally for the season to 21, and the club want to build their frontline around the Swede. Howe, though, says Wilson can still make a big impact in the remaining six matches.
‘There would have been, of course, a big element of frustration for him (Wilson), because he just wants to showcase his talents and what he can do for the team,’ said Howe.
‘But I know there’s a lot of respect between the two players and I know Callum would have been pleased with how Alex has performed for the team when he’s not been…