WILLIAM OSULA should be confirmed as a Newcastle United player within the next 24 hours after Sheffield United boss, Chris Wilder, admitted it was always going to impossible to prevent the youngster from heading to Tyneside.
Osula will undergo a medical in the North-East this morning, with the personal terms of his proposed switch to St James’ Park now having been agreed.
Newcastle have already agreed a deal with Sheffield United that will see them pay an initial fee of £10m for the forward, who celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday, with an additional £5m potentially due in future add-ons.
Osula will become the Magpies’ fifth senior summer addition, following goalkeeping duo John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodomis, Lewis Hall, whose initial loan deal from Chelsea was converted into a permanent transfer, and Lloyd Kelly, who joined as a free agent following his release from Bournemouth.
The versatile forward, who can play as a central striker or a wide attacker, will go straight into Eddie Howe’s first-team squad, having made 24 senior appearances for Sheffield United last season.
Wilder was hoping to keep him at Bramall Lane for at least another season, but admits it became all-but-impossible to hold on to the Denmark Under-21 international once Newcastle made their interest known.
“We are a club in a position that has to be careful that we don’t stifle opportunities for young players to go to Premier League clubs and if there is interest, we make sure we get the best possible price,” said the Blades boss.
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“It’s quite difficult to hold onto players now when Premier League clubs come knocking. Unfortunately, that attraction of the Premier League and the club is too difficult to turn down.”
Newcastle remain in talks with the hierarchy at Crystal Palace over the future of England international Marc Guehi.
The Magpies are keen to sign the central defender, who is valued at around £60m, as they attempt to strengthen the heart of their back four in the continued absence of injured duo Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.
Liverpool have been linked with a move of their own, but Newcastle officials remain hopeful of being able to strike a deal, with Guehi understood to be open to the idea of moving to Tyneside.
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