Newcastle United are prepared to let Will Osula leave the club during the January transfer window, but only if one very clear condition is met. The 22-year-old striker has once again found himself linked with a move away from St James’ Park after a frustrating spell disrupted by injury and limited opportunities.
While interest from abroad remains strong, Newcastle are determined to protect both the player’s development and the club’s long-term plans.
Osula came close to leaving Newcastle last summer after attracting attention from Aston Villa and German side Eintracht Frankfurt. Villa’s interest was serious, but a deal never progressed due to UEFA financial rules.
The two clubs had already completed major business earlier in the window, with Jacob Ramsey moving to Newcastle for an initial fee of £39 million, which effectively blocked another transaction between them. That situation opened the door for Frankfurt, who pushed hard to bring Osula to the Bundesliga.
An agreement was initially reached between Frankfurt and Newcastle, but the move collapsed late on. The German club attempted to change the structure of the deal, proposing a season-long loan with an option to buy rather than a permanent transfer.
Newcastle were not comfortable with those revised terms, and talks broke down. Despite that setback, Frankfurt have not gone away. Reports in Germany claim Osula has already agreed personal terms on a proposed five-year contract worth around €2.5 million per year, underlining how highly he is rated outside England.
Ironically, Osula staying at Newcastle turned out to be a timely boost for the club. Big-money summer signing Yoane Wissa, who arrived for £55 million, suffered a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo.
His absence created an unexpected opportunity, and Osula was asked to step up alongside club-record signing Nick Woltemade. However, the Dane was battling an ankle issue at the time and has since been sidelined by that injury.
Osula’s last involvement came when he was named in the squad for Newcastle’s 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club. He was forced to withdraw just 45 minutes before kick-off and has not featured since.
That was two months ago, and his recovery has taken longer than expected, adding to his frustration during what should have been an important stage of his development.
When he does return, which is unlikely before the end of the month, Osula will find himself as Newcastle’s third-choice striker behind Wissa and Woltemade. Even so, Eddie Howe has made it clear that the club are not actively looking to sell him.
The only scenario in which Newcastle would consider a January exit is one where Osula can play regular football elsewhere, with a clear route back to Tyneside.
Howe has stressed that any potential move must benefit the player while keeping Newcastle’s future interests protected. He has spoken openly about Osula’s frustration with injury and the importance of getting him fully fit before making any decisions.
From Howe’s perspective, Osula was in a very good place before the injury struck, and the focus now is on helping him return stronger, both physically and mentally.
Despite not yet fully establishing himself since his £15 million move from Sheffield United in 2024, Osula remains highly valued within the club. Howe has consistently praised his attitude, work ethic, and raw attributes.
Last season, Osula committed to a pathway that involved limited match minutes but intense training and detailed performance analysis. That period, spent working closely with the coaching staff, was seen as an important foundation for his long-term growth.
The plan had been for Osula to gain more regular game time, especially after Newcastle brought in two new strikers. A loan move was viewed as the ideal solution, but circumstances changed dramatically when Wissa was injured. Suddenly, Osula became a vital squad option, and Newcastle were relieved the summer deal had not gone through.
Howe firmly believes in Osula’s talent. His pace, athleticism, and willingness to learn have stood out whenever he has been on the pitch. More importantly, the manager feels Osula has matured, showing better understanding of game situations and improved decision-making. That growth, combined with his physical qualities, has led to optimism that he can become a complete forward in time.
For now, Newcastle’s stance is simple. Will Osula can leave in January only if the move helps his development and includes a clear path for him to return. Otherwise, the club are happy to keep him, help him regain full fitness, and continue shaping a player they believe still has a big future at St James’ Park.
