Newcastle surprise as striker spotted at training ground after teasing summer transfer

Newcastle United’s preparations for the new season kicked off with the return of several first-team players to the training ground. Those not involved in international duty—such as Joe Willock, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman, Sean Longstaff, and Nick Pope—were all spotted undergoing pre-season fitness assessments.

While others still enjoy extended breaks following international commitments, the squad’s return has started to gather pace ahead of a season that promises greater expectations and heavier fixtures, especially with Champions League football on the horizon.

Among the returning players, William Osula has drawn significant attention. Despite limited appearances last season, the young Danish forward appears determined to make a stronger impact this time around.

His eagerness to return early and begin training speaks volumes, especially in light of Callum Wilson’s recent departure, which leaves a notable vacancy in the striker department.

Although Newcastle remain in the market for another forward to support Alexander Isak, Osula’s development has offered encouragement to the coaching staff.

Even during his short summer break, Osula demonstrated impressive commitment by training in Monaco, where he was spotted wearing the local club’s shirt while preparing for his return to Tyneside.

Monaco, like Newcastle, will be participating in the Champions League this coming season, but Osula remains focused on carving out a place for himself in Eddie Howe’s squad.

What’s caught the eye of many fans in recent weeks is Osula’s growing friendship with Newcastle’s top transfer target, Anthony Elanga.

Their bond, both on and off the pitch, has sparked plenty of speculation. Osula playfully embraced the “Agent Osula” moniker given to him by supporters after he met up with Elanga during the off-season and posted content on social media hinting at a possible reunion at Newcastle.

In one TikTok video, the two shared a celebratory handshake and dance, sending fans into a frenzy. The timing of those posts was particularly interesting, as it came just before Newcastle submitted a £55 million bid to Nottingham Forest for Elanga’s services.

Osula’s brief first season with Newcastle was modest in terms of minutes, totalling just 124 in the Premier League. His three starts came in cup competitions, but he still managed to contribute two goals and two assists.

His first Premier League goal—a well-taken header against Ipswich Town in April—served as a timely reminder of his potential. With Wilson gone and no replacement yet signed, Osula sees a real chance to break into the first team more regularly, particularly with a congested fixture schedule ahead.

While some have called for a loan move to help him gain experience, Newcastle have no plans to send Osula elsewhere at this stage. His progress behind the scenes has pleased Eddie Howe and the rest of the coaching staff.

His performances during training earned him more frequent appearances toward the latter part of the 2024/25 campaign, suggesting the club view him as a long-term asset rather than a temporary project.

Assistant manager Jason Tindall, who played a key role in bringing Osula to Newcastle from Sheffield United for £10 million, recently confirmed the club’s stance. When asked about the possibility of a loan, he made it clear that Osula remains an integral part of the squad.

Tindall acknowledged that young players often feel impatient when game time is scarce but stressed the importance of resilience, hard work, and seizing opportunities as they arise. He cited players like Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon as examples of young talents who initially struggled but eventually thrived under the right guidance.

Hall arrived at Newcastle with limited expectations and spent most of his first season out of the spotlight before becoming an important figure in the side. Gordon similarly had a quiet start but used international duty with England’s Under-21s as a platform to reignite his club career. Osula now faces a similar path.

The presence of Isak, one of Europe’s top scorers, guarantees competition will be fierce, and Newcastle are still looking to strengthen their attacking options. However, Osula’s versatility—his ability to operate centrally or on either wing—gives him a fighting chance to earn minutes.

With more high-stakes matches on the horizon and the club pushing for depth and quality, Osula’s role could grow significantly this season.

Whether he ultimately becomes a reliable understudy to Isak or a surprise breakout star remains to be seen. What’s clear, though, is that both the club and the player are preparing for that possibility, and if his mindset is anything to go by, he’s ready to take that next step.