Eddie Howe set to make Newcastle request ahead of Paul Mitchell talks - Report

According to reports this afternoon, Eddie Howe will urge the club to keep Callum Wilson this summer amid suggestions the striker could be sold.

This comes from the Northern Echo's Scott Wilson, who claims that Howe is 'ready to push hard' to keep him at the club despite the 32-year-old entering the final year of his contract at the club.

The report reveals that Howe has held talks with new sporting director Paul Mitchell and will make a strong case for keeping Wilson ahead of further meetings over the coming days, with the Toon boss valuing the striker's proven record in the Premier League and ability to push star man Alexander Isak.

Replacing Wilson won't be easy or cheap - Lille's Jonathan David or Dominic Calvert-Lewin would both cost £25m plus - yet I can't help but feel now is the time to cash in. Age is one thing - although I fear his injury woes may only get worse in time - but it's also the fact this could be our last chance to receive a fee, with the former Bournemouth man out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 season.

From a PSR perspective, this feels like the right time to sell, coupled with the fact he missed over 23 games in all competitions last season, with three separate issues (hamstring, calf and chest) seeing him feature in just 20 of our 38 league games.

Howe's loyalty is understandable and we may instead sign a right winger able to also play up top (Bryan Mbeumo?), but this could be looked back on as a big mistake if his injury issues continue and we lose him for nothing in 12 months time.

https://twitter.com/Scottwilsonecho/status/1813530259175972994