Callum Wilson might not have been the striker signing West Ham United fans were hoping for, but at least the Premier League outfit can rest a little easier than Eddie Howe and Newcastle at present.
West Ham United brought an end their longest-running saga of the summer last month.
After weeks of speculation, David Sullivan accepted Tottenham’s £54.5 million Mohammed Kudus bid. Now, with Jarrod Bowen going nowhere and as it emerges that Lucas Paqueta is ready to stay at West Ham, the final few weeks of the window at the London Stadium will focus more on incomings than high-profile departures.
The same cannot be said of Newcastle, though.
The Alexander Isak tale still has plenty of chapters remaining. And who knows? Maybe Eddie Howe would have opted to retain the services of Callum Wilson if he had known what lay just around the corner with his seemingly Liverpool-loving talisman.
Eddie Howe says West Ham United newbie Callum Wilson is a ‘massive loss’ for Newcastle
West Ham signed Callum Wilson on a free transfer on Saturday.
The former England international was let go by Newcastle when his contract at St James’ Park expired at the beginning of July.
But it’s fair to say that, when Wilson became a free-agent five weeks ago, Newcastle did not envisage what lay just around the corner; the Isak saga going into overdrive just days later.
“We are still active in the market. We are looking for players,” Howe explained during a press conference on Monday. “Obviously, we lost Callum Wilson.
“[Wilson] is, in himself, a massive loss. And then you add to that Alex, who has not been with us. We have certainly felt their absence.”
While Wilson’s injury record is a concern among West Ham supporters – understandably so, given that he missed a staggering 114 matches in five years – it is worth pointing out that the 33-year-old comfortably outscored the £150 million-rated Isak just two seasons ago.
Wilson hit the net 18 times in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign. If he can stay fit – albeit that is an ‘if’ the size of the River Thames – he could yet prove to be an inspired addition on a short-term, low-cost deal made up largely of bonuses.
“The Wilson deal is very appearance and goal incentivised,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News.
Wilson admits he spoke to Michail Antonio about West Ham switch
Speaking to the club’s official website, shortly before Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen scored in a 2-0 friendly win over AFC Bournemouth, Wilson admitted that he spoke to Michail Antonio before putting pen to paper.
“I’ve spoken with Michail, and he only mentioned positive things about the club,” Wilson reveals, the veteran poacher replacing another highly-experienced centre-forward in East London.
“(Michail) said it’s a great opportunity…
“Obviously what’s gone on before is gone, it’s in the past, it’s ultimately about the badge on the front of the shirt, not the name and the number on the back so, for me, judge me week in week out when I’m giving 110 per cent for the team.
“I’m excited, joining a massive football club, a club that shares similar passion to mine; hard work, dedication and also I strive for success so I’m glad to be a part of it.
“[Graham Potter] is a manager who I’ve followed his career. We’ve played against each other many times, whether he was at Brighton or Chelsea. His was always a team that changed formation so many times within the game, so you’re constantly trying to work it out.”
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