“It was close” – Howe reveals lucky transfer U-turn and Newcastle’s loan wish

Speaking to the media this morning, Eddie Howe was asked about Will Osula’s growth and importance to the squad following another impactful cameo.

The 22-year-old has three goals and an assist in just 280 minutes of football this season, with his latest contribution seeing him change the game and play a big role in Bruno’s winner during Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Fulham.

However, it’s easy to forget that he almost left for Frankfurt on deadline day, with a £30m deal reported before a move collapsed; much to Newcastle’s relief, in hindsight!

Howe has revealed that an exit was “close” at one point and a loan move was “always” Newcastle’s preference to allow the striker to play. But, a few months on, given his form and Yoane Wissa’s continued absence, the boss is grateful that proposed transfer collapsed:

“It was well documented that it was quite close that he could have left, in a variety of ways (loan or permanent). A loan was always our preference because, in our view, we wanted Will to play.

“We wanted him to continue his development, which he did brilliantly last year, because he committed to a path of limited game time and big training time, with a lot of work with Graeme Jones. A lot of reviewing his performances and then putting work into action.

“The next step was to get him playing regularly, so that was the aim, and especially with us bringing two strikers in the thought was he could continue that development best on the football pitch.

“Obviously it didn’t happen, much to our relief because Yoane picked up an injury and Will’s vitally important. We believe in his talents. He’s quick, he athletic, but he’s added through his attitude to training, a better know-how and nous.”

Howe then discussed Osula’s development in more depth, praising his physical qualities, attitude and much-improved ability to manage in-game situations.

The boss feels he is coming into game looking the “complete package” and reveals just how serious he’s been about developing his game off the pitch, despite his jokey persona:

“Will is vitally important, he is quick, he is athletic. He has a good attitude and better know how to manage game situations.

“He is now coming on the pitch looking like a complete package. Every time he has come on the pitch, he has performed.

“Great personality, a real zest for life, he has very close friendships, he is very serious about his work. He is very serious about his development and his game.”

Osula has been managing an ankle issue, but if he’s fit and available to start, we might just see him thrown in from the off against Spurs tomorrow night!