Leeds United, Coventry City handed boost in summer race for Newcastle United player | OneFootball

A big update on the future of Callum Wilson has been revealed that will have Coventry and Leeds licking their lips.

Former Sunderland and Manchester United scout Mick Brown understands Leeds United and Coventry City target Callum Wilson will leave Newcastle United this summer.

As detailed in a report from Football Insider on Thursday, Brown, who remains well-connected in the football world, understands the Magpies striker will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old has been struggling for regular playing time this season behind the red-hot Alexander Isak, and as he enters the twilight years of his career, the former England international appears set on seeing out his time as a player being a key figure somewhere else.

Coventry City and Leeds United have been among a number of clubs linked with a free agent swoop for the veteran centre-forward in the summer, and this update will no doubt have Sky Blues and Whites hierarchy licking their lips.

As reported via Football Insider, Brown understands that Wilson's injury record is set to cost him the chance of a new contract at St. James' Park, with multiple clubs now lining up moves in an attempt to sign him at the end of the season.

He said: “I hear Wilson will leave Newcastle in the summer.

“His injury record is so poor and it’s a major concern for Newcastle, and then when he has played, he hasn’t done enough to prove he’s worthy of a new deal.

“He’s struggling to make an impression and he’s not going to be part of Eddie Howe’s plans for the future. They want to cut their wage bill at Newcastle, too, so this is a good opportunity to do that."

Wilson began his career with hometown club Coventry, and the Sky Blues as well as Championship rivals Leeds both appear to be keen on securing the signature of the highly reputable striker in the summer.

Brown believes that dropping down to the second tier to secure regular football is a genuine possibility, with his signature surely being a major coup for any side at that level.

“There aren’t many strikers with his experience available, so there will always be clubs willing to take a chance on him," Brown continued.

“Even if it means dropping down to the Championship, there are clubs that would take him. I think as soon as his contract is up at Newcastle, somebody will look to make that move.”

Coventry City and Leeds United face intriguing battle for Callum Wilson's signature

If Wilson is to find himself in the free agent pool in the summer, then he will potentially have a really tough decision to make depending on how Coventry's and Leeds' respective seasons unfold.

With the Sky Blues being his hometown club, and indeed the place where his career started, the idea of potentially ending his career back where it first started could be a very attractive one to Wilson for obvious reasons.

However, the division in which they will be plying their trade in next season could play a significant part in that decision, with City looking to secure a play-off finish in the coming weeks.

Leeds, on the other hand, are looking destined to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League, and should they do so alongside the Sky Blues falling short of achieving a top flight return, then the chance to extend his career in that division may prove too difficult to turn down.

If both clubs remain in the second tier for the 2025/26 season, then Coventry will surely feel confident that they could secure his signature ahead of Leeds given the emotional attachment.

As such, a fascinating potential summer signature saga between the two clubs awaits.