Newcastle United are facing a familiar situation with one of their young attacking talents as uncertainty continues to surround both his fitness and his future at the club. William Osula will miss the upcoming clash with Sunderland, and at this stage there is still no clear timeline for when he will be able to return to action.
Despite a recent scan offering some encouragement, the Danish striker’s ankle problem has not progressed as smoothly as hoped. Osula, who has managed to score three goals for Newcastle this season, is still being closely monitored by the club’s medical team.
They are keen to fully understand why his recovery has stalled and to ensure there are no deeper issues that could cause long-term problems.
Eddie Howe has already admitted that the situation is not straightforward. Speaking earlier this month, the Newcastle boss explained that Osula’s injury is not following a clear path and that the player is still experiencing discomfort.
Howe made it clear that the club will only provide an update once they have a better grasp of what is happening, underlining that the striker’s well-being comes before any rushed return.
While Osula focuses on his recovery, speculation around his future continues to grow as the January transfer window edges closer. The 21-year-old has found regular first-team minutes hard to come by since joining Newcastle from Sheffield United in 2024 for an initial fee of around £10 million.
Although he has shown flashes of promise, competition for places has limited his opportunities, and interest from elsewhere has never fully gone away.
During the summer, Osula came very close to leaving the club. Aston Villa and Eintracht Frankfurt both explored potential deals, with Newcastle open to the idea of a move if it benefited the player’s development.
Villa’s interest ultimately fell away due to UEFA financial restrictions, as they had already completed business with Newcastle earlier in the window, including the high-profile move that saw Jacob Ramsey arrive at St James’ Park.
Frankfurt then emerged as the most likely destination. Talks progressed to an advanced stage, especially after Newcastle secured deals for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, which appeared to open the door for Osula to move on.
However, a late change of direction on deadline day saw the transfer collapse, leaving Osula in black and white.
Howe later revealed just how close the move had been. He explained that a loan had always been Newcastle’s preferred option, as the club wanted Osula to play regularly and continue his growth. From the manager’s point of view, the striker had already made big strides by accepting a season of limited game time but intense training.
Hours spent working with the coaching staff, reviewing performances, and refining his game were seen as vital steps in his development.
The next phase, Howe believed, was for Osula to translate that work into consistent minutes on the pitch. With two new strikers coming in, the expectation was that a temporary move would offer him the best chance to do that.
In the end, the deal did not go through, and at the time Newcastle were relieved. An injury to Yoane Wissa shortly afterwards meant Osula suddenly became an important squad option, reinforcing the club’s belief in his ability.
Now, with Wissa back fit and available, Osula has once again slipped down the pecking order. That shift has reopened the door to a potential January exit, and Frankfurt remain keen.
Reports in Germany suggest the Bundesliga club are preparing to renew their interest and are confident enough to have already agreed personal terms with the player. A five-year contract is said to be in place, with wages in the region of £40,000 per week.
For Osula, however, any transfer talk remains secondary for now. His immediate focus is on getting fit and proving his value, whether that ends up being at Newcastle or elsewhere.
Injuries at this stage of a young career are frustrating, especially when momentum is hard to build, but Newcastle remain supportive and cautious in their approach.
Missing the Sunderland clash is a disappointment, but the bigger picture is about ensuring Osula returns in the right condition. January could bring a fresh start, a new challenge, and the regular football he has been craving.
Until then, his priority is recovery, while Newcastle weigh up their options and prepare for another busy transfer window.
