As the calendar turns toward February, Newcastle United is bracing for what many describe as a brutal run of fixtures. For manager Eddie Howe, the strength of the squad is about to be tested like never before. In recent weeks, the return of experienced players has offered a glimmer of hope.
Specifically, seeing Dan Burn back in the defensive line has been a massive relief for the coaching staff. His presence helps ease the heavy physical and mental burden that had been placed on Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw, who were forced to play nearly every minute in the heart of the defense during a difficult winter period. However, while some players are sliding back into their starting roles with ease, the situation is far more complicated for young striker Will Osula.
Osula recently returned to the fold, but he finds himself in a frustrating position. Despite his undeniable potential, he currently sits as the third-choice option for the central striker role.
Ahead of him in the pecking order are Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, both of whom have found a rhythm that makes them difficult to displace. This lack of clear playing time has sparked a wave of transfer rumors that refuse to go away.
It seems almost inevitable that the young Dane will be moving on, and a fresh European rival has now entered the race for his signature a team that Newcastle fans have become very familiar with during this season’s continental journey.
According to reports from trusted sources, the French giants Marseille are the latest club to express a serious interest in Will Osula. This adds a new layer of drama to a transfer saga that has already spanned several countries. Marseille joins a growing list of admirers that includes Aston Villa, Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt.
In fact, some reports out of Germany suggest that Osula has already agreed on personal terms with Eintracht Frankfurt, indicating his readiness for a new challenge in the Bundesliga. However, agreeing on terms with a player is only half the battle; the interested clubs still have to satisfy Newcastle’s steep financial demands.
Newcastle originally signed Osula from Sheffield United two summers ago for a fee of £15 million. Since then, his value has skyrocketed. The club is reportedly looking for a figure in the region of £30 million to let him go permanently.
While a loan move with an obligation to buy has been discussed as a way to structure the deal for financial regulations, Newcastle’s stance remains firm. If Marseille or any other suitor wants to finalize a permanent deal before the Monday deadline, they will need to present a “substantial offer” that makes it impossible for the Magpies to say no.
This brings up a difficult question for the decision-makers at St. James’ Park: does Will Osula still have a long-term future at the club? On one hand, selling him now would represent a 100% profit on their initial investment.
In an era where Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) dictate so much of a club’s transfer strategy, that kind of financial boost is hard to ignore. It would give the recruitment team significantly more “headroom” to go after other targets in the summer.
On the other hand, there are many reasons to believe that keeping Osula on Tyneside is the smarter move. He has become a very popular figure in the dressing room, and his technical development has been remarkable since 2024.
Influential coaches like Graeme Jones have spent countless hours working one-on-one with the young forward, and they have been vocal about his high ceiling. Perhaps most interestingly, it was reported that the club’s owners, the PIF, personally stepped in to veto a move to Germany back in August. This suggests that the highest levels of the club see him as a valuable long-term asset rather than just a way to balance the books.
There is also the matter of squad planning and age demographics. Yoane Wissa has been a brilliant servant for the club, but he turns 30 later this year. As he moves into the later stages of his prime, Newcastle will need younger, fresher legs to handle the rotation, especially if they continue to compete in multiple domestic and European competitions.
Having a rotation of Nick Woltemade and Will Osula ensures that the club has two distinct styles of young strikers who can grow together. Osula offers a different physical profile and a raw athleticism that can be devastating against tired defenses in the final twenty minutes of a match.
If the club decides to sell him now, they might be solving a short-term financial puzzle while creating a long-term tactical problem. Replacing a player of his potential for £30 million in today’s inflated market is no easy task.
As the clock ticks toward the end of the window, the pressure is on Marseille to see if they can tempt Newcastle with an offer that changes their mind. For now, Osula remains a Newcastle player, but his future is very much in the balance. Whether he stays to fight for his place or heads to France or Germany, the next few days will define the next chapter of his promising career.
