It was always going to be a big summer of change for Newcastle United.
With Champions League football confirmed and with a squad in much need of a refresh, we may have already seen a number of fan favourites and squad stalwarts play their final games for the club.
Dan Burn has opened up on the impending departures, revealing his thoughts and perhaps giving a subtle hint about on the future of one star in particular.
Burn: “I hate this time of year”
Speaking to The Chronicle, Burn said: “I hate this time of year. Because no matter what happens, there are always changes, no matter if it is one, five, or 10 players going, it’s never ever the same.”
Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock are just a handful of the names facing an uncertain future, which is no doubt an emotional time for the players themselves as well as their teammates.
The squad that Howe has built has become a tightly knit collective of talent who spend immense amounts of time together off the pitch. But with the club aiming higher and higher, some difficult decisions are going to be coming the way of Howe and the club hierarchy.
Burn added: “You feel like when you have put that much into the season, there’s always a bit of emotion at the end. I am not used to seeing Callum Wilson like that.”
“It is strange because he’s not an emotional person. He is usually quite a happy person so it was sad to see. I am not sure what is happening and I don’t know if he does either. But it was a nice moment for him to get the appreciation.”
Wilson notably gave what looked like a farewell to the fans in attendance at St James’ Park on the final day, having been here for five years and scoring 49 Premier League goals.
A wave goodbye from Wilson – or could he actually stay?
When the retained list of players was revealed earlier this week, Wilson’s name was notably not part of the players set to be released nor someone confirmed to be staying on.
As things stand, Wilson is set to leave once his contract expires at the end of the month, though discussions have reportedly taken place about an extension which could see the no.9 take on something closer to a ‘pay as you play’ deal.
But The Athletic has said that a new deal is ‘not close’ as things stand, and the 33-year-old has previously expressed a desire to continue playing Premier League and first team football.
Wilson in particular has been one of Howe’s most trusted players over the years, and it’s a common criticism of the gaffer that he is too loyal and trusting to some talent. It could be close to the end of June (and Wilson’s current contract) before we get a definitive answer as to where Wilson’s future will lie.
