Football
Exclusive: Callum Wilson Set to Leave Newcastle as Everton Open Talks for Free Transfer
Everton are preparing a bid to sign Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson on a free transfer. Wilson, who has played five seasons for Newcastle, is out of contract and Everton see him as a valuable addition despite his recent injury struggles. Newcastle are focusing on squad strengthening, making Wilson potentially surplus to requirements. Everton have initiated talks with Wilson, who is exploring his options for his next career move.
Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League by Stu Forster | Getty Images
Everton want to sign Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson on a free transfer, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Magpies hitman Wilson is out of contract at the end of this month and Newcastle have refused to comment on any potential new deal for the 33-year-old marksman.
The former England international has played five seasons for the club in the Premier League, but last season was his fewest appearances in a Newcastle shirt as injury restricted his availability.
He also failed to score in the league all season, his lowest return since joining the club in a £20million four-year deal in September 2020.
However, despite his worst Premier League season to date, our sources understand that the Toffees are big admirers of the player, especially for his vast Premier League season.
Wilson played five seasons for former club Bournemouth in the top-flight before his bog money move to St James’ Park.
He bagged 67 goals in 187 games for the Cherries across six seasons and has scored 49 goals 130 games for Newcastle.
REDUCED TERMS
SportsBoom understands the Magpies weighed up offering Wilson a new reduced terms deal, but a summer squad strengthening is in full flow at the Tyneside club, with the striker now likely to be surplus to requirements.
The nine-cap England international has been linked with a number of other clubs, but Everton have initiated talks with the striker and keen to see if they can land a summer bargain ahead of next season.
Newcastle have been linked with a move to sign Brighton striker Joao Pedro in a high-profile scoop.
If that deal happens then Wilson’s chances of playing will diminish even further, which is why the striker is looking at all of his options for what could be the last big move of his career.
Wilson won the Championship crown with Bournemouth in the 2014-15 season and also the EFL Cup with Newcastle last season and was a runner-up in the same competition in the 2022-23 season.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.