Eddie Howe admits star striker Callum Wilson may LEAVE Newcastle to ease FFP worries in shock summer transfer
EDDIE HOWE has admitted that Callum Wilson could be sold this summer.
Newcastle could cash in on the striker in the transfer window in order to ease FFP concerns.
Wilson, 32, has struggled for fitness this season and has only featured in 16 Premier League games.
He has been effective when on the pitch as he has managed seven goals and one assist.
Wilson was linked with a move away from St James’ Park in January, with Chelsea and West Ham mooted as destinations.
The manager is a big fan of the former Bournemouth striker and is concerned about replacing him.
Howe said: “It’s undoubted how I feel about Callum.
“How I feel about his qualities and what he can offer the team.
“If you lose a player of that quality, then finding a player of equal standard will cost the club a lot of money.
“That’s always the big talking point about any business we do in the summer.
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“If you lose a player, how can you replace him with the same quality with Financial Fair Play implications around the corner? There’s a lot to think about.”
Howe has also called on Wilson to stay fit for a “prolonged period” in order to help the team.
He added: “I think every player has a point to prove every time they pull the Newcastle shirt on.
“I don’t think Callum Wilson necessarily has a point to prove in terms of his ability and what he can deliver, that’s undoubted.
“We would like him to stay fit for a prolonged period of time and to be able to execute that on a consistent basis.
“So, there is sort of a double-edged meaning to my answer.
“I want every player to have that burning desire every single game to fulfil their own ambitions and certainly Callum has very big ambitions still.
“He’s still a very strong player and he can make a big difference for us.”
Alexander Isak is also another potential player who could be on the move in the summer.
The Swedish striker has been linked with a big-money move to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options.