Newcastle United look set to find themselves in another uncomfortable transfer situation, with reports claiming they have reached an agreement to let go of a player who only recently began to show his full potential.
It feels like yet another misstep in a growing list of transfer decisions that have weakened the squad and raised further questions about the club’s strategy since the sale of Alexander Isak.
The chaos started long before this latest development. The entire summer window was overshadowed by the inevitable departure of Isak, a striker who had grown into a world-class talent during his time at St James’ Park.
Once he realised he was capable of playing for Europe’s elite, Newcastle were always going to struggle to keep him, and when Liverpool made him their main target, everything spiraled.
The saga dragged on for weeks, staining the image of both clubs and leaving Newcastle scrambling for solutions. Liverpool eventually got their man for a British-record fee, but the way the transfer unfolded made the Magpies look powerless and unprepared.
As the summer progressed, Newcastle’s confidence faded and they became increasingly resigned to losing their star striker. Their attempts to replace him fell flat, as almost every major target rejected them.
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Hugo Ekitike and even goalkeeper James Trafford all declined the opportunity to join the PIF-backed club. Each rejection was another blow to their credibility and their growth plans.
Even though the final week of the window brought some structure to their business, it still felt like a mixed outcome. Isak was sold for an enormous £125 million, and Newcastle secured Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa as replacements.
One of them has exceeded expectations and proved to be an inspired signing, but the other has done little to justify the faith placed in him. Their business also included Malick Thiaw, who has settled brilliantly, but the frustration remains that too much of the Isak money was spent poorly, particularly on Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga.
Both players arrived with big price tags but have struggled to make meaningful contributions, featuring only in short bursts and never truly changing matches.
Another puzzling episode from the summer involved William Osula, a 22-year-old forward whose potential has always been clear but who was nowhere near Isak’s level. Newcastle had the opportunity to accept a £30 million offer from Aston Villa or Eintracht Frankfurt, a figure that far exceeded his actual market value at the time.
Instead, the club bizarrely refused to sanction the move. Their reluctance made little sense then, and with hindsight, it looks even more confusing.
However, Osula began this season in excellent form and quickly justified Newcastle’s decision to keep him. He rotated effectively with Woltemade, worked tirelessly in the final third and brought new maturity to his game.
Eddie Howe praised him publicly in October, highlighting his improved tactical understanding, his pace, his athleticism and the way he had developed into what the manager described as “the complete package”. It seemed like Osula was beginning to fulfil the potential Newcastle believed he had.
Given that progress, it is astonishing that the club are now reportedly prepared to let him leave for far less than they could have secured in the summer. According to a report from Sky Germany, Newcastle have reached a verbal agreement with Osula, who still wants to make the move to Frankfurt.
The German club are considering a winter loan worth around three million euros, with an option to buy for only 20 million euros a figure dramatically lower than the £30 million deal that collapsed just a few months ago.
The report adds that the transfer still depends on the approval of Newcastle’s owners, meaning there is time to stop the deal. If the board allow this move to happen at such a discount, it will raise serious concerns about their decision-making once again.
Nothing about the proposed figures makes sense considering Osula’s growth since the summer and his increasing importance to the squad.
Newcastle have already endured several difficult transfer windows and a series of questionable choices. Letting go of a young striker who has finally found confidence and rhythm, and doing so for a cut-price fee, would only deepen the feeling that the club are failing to maximise their assets.
This latest situation has all the signs of yet another transfer blunder, one that could easily have been avoided. If the club want to show ambition and stability, this is the kind of mistake they cannot afford to repeat.
