Contract clause option on Callum Wilson now made public | OneFootball

It has now been revealed that there is a contract clause in Newcastle United’s current Callum Wilson deal.

The Athletic reporting (see below) that whilst his current deal is set to end on 30 June 2025, the club has an option available.

They can ‘unilaterally’ decide to extend this existing contract by another season if they choose to do so.

Even better, no quick decision has to be made, as Newcastle United can decide to exercise this option after this current 2024/25 season has concluded.

The Athletic’s journalist thinks the club will opt not to trigger this one year extension.

Personally, I would be amazed if they didn’t trigger that extra season.

In these kind of situations, the player usually holds all the aces. A quality player coming towards the end of his career, usually looking for more extra contract years than the club is wanting to give. So, for Newcastle United to have the choice of adding only one more season, for me, massively tips it into becoming an easy decision to make.

Callum Wilson has had a nightmare with injuries this season BUT under Eddie Howe previously, that has been much exaggerated.

The two full seasons under Eddie Howe, saw Callum Wilson in 52 of 76 Premier League matchday squads across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, 68 percent of those 76 PL games.

I think those two full seasons under Eddie Howe, the relative lack of Callum Wilson minutes on the pitch, many fans tend to ignore that much/most of that has been down to the arrival and presence of Alexander Isak, the undoubted first choice in recent seasons.

For anybody thinking that many of these matchday squads that Callum Wilson made, he wasn’t really fit enough to get on the pitch, just named in squads for the sake of it. Well, in 51 of the 52 times that Wilson was named in Premier League matchday squads in 2022/23 and 2023/24, he DID get on the pitch.

What can’t be ignored or argued against, is his contribution when on the pitch. Callum Wilson across those last two full seasons, scored 27 Premier League goals in 30 starts (plus 21 sub appearances).

Wilson scored 18 goals in 21 PL starts (plus 10 sub appearances) when United finished fourth in 2022/23 and then nine PL goals in nine starts (plus 11 PL sub appearances) last season.

I don’t really understand the absolute  desperation of some Newcastle United fans to get Callum Wilson out of the club ASAP.

I understand the caution due to his injury record, especially this season, however, if he ends this season in good form and fitness, I would see it as quite bizarre to be desperate to lose him.

On Saturday, it was great to see Callum Wilson looking something like close to his best again, in form and looking fit.

My feeling is that Newcastle United would very likely now be out of the FA Cup, if he hadn’t played.

He might not get an official assist but Wilson brilliantly bulldozed through three big challenges before his brilliant left foot cross ended up getting squared for Willock to score.

Then after Osula somehow failed to score with an open goal gaping, Callum Wilson with a superb clever poacher’s finish.

When I hear Newcastle fans desperate to get Wilson out of St James’ Park, I always wonder who these brilliant strikers are, who will then be able to bought in for peanuts and be top quality goalscorers, plus happy to sit on the bench most of the time. You look at the crazy prices paid for very average strikers these days who struggle to score many goals at all, Man U just one of many examples with the strikers they have signed in recent times for crazy money.

Yes, wages would be saved if Callum Wilson not retained for another season but zero transfer fee coming in.

Ironically, on Saturday, we saw Will Osula show so much promise, BUT as a wide right player going down the line and especially cutting inside, though as central striker he clearly isn’t looking at the same level, on the small amount of minutes/evidence so far.

The thing is as well, if indeed Newcastle United are in the Champions League or Europa League next season, the squad criteria of what is allowed, means that English players are of even more value.

If Callum Wilson ends this season fit and in form, another year of wages for the number nine is a no-brainer, especially with the essential signings needed in other positions, particularly with an ongoing PSR balance needed.

Chris Waugh writing for The Athletic – 11 February 2025:

‘Newcastle have an option available which allows them to unilaterally extend Callum Wilson’s contract by a year.

But given he is 32, has a poor injury record and is a significant earner, the suspicion is they will opt against doing so, though no decision has been taken and Newcastle have until the end of the season before they must make a call.