Home Sports NEWCASTLE NOTEBOOK: Callum Wilson’s surgery could cost the Toon MILLIONS, banned Sandro Tonali is stuck behind closed doors and Dan Ashworth’s exit could be a spy saga!

NEWCASTLE NOTEBOOK: Callum Wilson’s surgery could cost the Toon MILLIONS, banned Sandro Tonali is stuck behind closed doors and Dan Ashworth’s exit could be a spy saga!

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Newcastle striker Callum Wilson will undergo surgery after damaging his pectoral tendon

Callum Wilson’s pectoral surgery and absence of up to three months could still cost Newcastle United millions of pounds.

Because? Well, my information in January, when Atlético Madrid had a loan offer rejected, was that Wilson would probably move on this summer.

Given that his contract expires in 2025, and that he will turn 32 this month, I am told there is an acceptance between the club and the player that the time might be right for a move.

I understand that Wilson wants to finish his career abroad and there is a lot of interest, including from Saudi Arabia.

However, its market value will be affected in the coming months.

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson will undergo surgery after damaging his pectoral tendon

Mail Sport understands there is interest from overseas, including Saudi Arabia, in Wilson's services as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract at St James' Park.

Mail Sport understands there is interest from overseas, including Saudi Arabia, in Wilson’s services as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract at St James’ Park.

Had he stayed fit from now until the end of the season, scored goals and, as was his wish, made the England squad for Euro 2024, Newcastle could well have commanded a fee of between 15 and 20 million. of pounds sterling.

As things stand, he won’t be back until mid-April and, more likely, early May at the earliest. Eddie Howe said Friday that he was “hopeful” Wilson would be able to play again this season.

The upshot is that you can probably save around £10m off the asking price by trying to sell a player who has barely featured from January onwards.

Wilson is a good character and I always found him extremely motivated and engaging. His plan will be to return as soon as possible, score plenty of goals in the run-up and give Gareth Southgate a decision to make.

Either way, its future is very uncertain on several levels.

Tonali trapped behind closed doors

Sandro Tonali will not be able to take part in Newcastle’s pre-season friendlies this summer, Mail Sport understands.

The Italian is also awaiting the outcome of a Football Association investigation into whether he gambled on football AFTER his £52million move to Newcastle in the summer.

Sandro Tonali training at Newcastle's training ground while serving his gambling ban

Sandro Tonali training at Newcastle’s training ground while serving his gambling ban

Tonali is banned until the end of August after admitting to placing illegal bets during his time in his home country with Brescia and Milan.

And that suspension, imposed by the Italian authorities, means that he cannot participate in friendlies played in the public domain. You can play games behind closed doors.

Tonali has used his free time to learn English and there are hopes within the club that the 10-month ban has given him time to adapt and return better next season. This, of course, is pending news of the FA investigation.

Isak could undergo surgery

It is rumored this week that Callum Wilson may not be the only Newcastle forward to undergo surgery, and that avenue is also open for Alexander Isak this summer.

Sweden is not in the Euros and that would give the 24-year-old a chance to address a recurring groin problem.

A lot depends on how his body will behave in the remaining months of the season, but an operation is a possibility.

Alexander Isak could undergo surgery on a problematic groin injury during the summer

Alexander Isak could undergo surgery on a problematic groin injury during the summer

Isak is unlikely to make the squad for Saturday’s visit to Bournemouth but, if not, he will return for next weekend’s trip to Arsenal.

A fabulous player, yes, but his absences really affect Newcastle’s momentum. Anthony Gordon will likely replace the injured forwards this weekend, but that robs Newcastle of one of the Premier League’s best left wingers.

Alan Shearer has long said that Newcastle need another centre-forward. He can’t be that far down the pecking order right now!

Fog in Trento means a long walk home

Newcastle’s recovery from last weekend’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest was slightly affected by a bus journey home instead of their usual flight.

Fog forced them to travel by road and they returned to Tyneside shortly after midnight, before Sunday morning.

As one source said, it could have been worse – their next three Premier League away games will be in London!

Newcastle got a good result at the City Ground on Saturday, but it was a long journey home.

Newcastle got a good result at the City Ground on Saturday, but it was a long journey home.

The Ashworth Spy Saga?

During Friday’s pregame press conference with Eddie Howe, a colleague raised a pertinent point with the manager: In most companies, an employee about to defect to a direct rival would be asked to leave the building. .

Dan Ashworth, however, remains at St James’ Park and was continuing his work on Friday, when he was due to lead meetings with the club’s first-team scouts.

We still expect the sporting director to move from United and join Manchester, but the story took a new turn when Howe said he was concerned about Ashworth’s knowledge of Newcastle’s secrets.

I’ve never written the word “espionage” in a football story (and I didn’t here), but it’s certainly never boring being a reporter on this topic!

Eddie Howe wants a solution over Dan Ashworth's future as soon as possible amid concerns Newcastle secrets will be leaked.

Eddie Howe wants a solution over Dan Ashworth’s future as soon as possible amid concerns Newcastle secrets will be leaked.

Clark could return to Tyneside

If former Newcastle youngster Bobby Clark is not part of the Liverpool squad this weekend, he could be in action on Tyneside.

Liverpool’s under-21s face Newcastle at Whitley Park at 1pm on Saturday and the son of former Toon favorite Lee could well be involved.

The irony is that if the super talented Bobby, 19, had still been at Newcastle, he would probably have been a starter for the first team at St James’ Park!

State of emergency from the beginning

One option open to Eddie Howe if he wishes to sign another striker is to explore the free agent market, which is open until the fourth Thursday in March.

Howe jokingly asked us journalists for names when we raised this possibility Friday morning. Well, Eddie, who needs iScout when you have Google?

There are two independent forwards he has managed before: Dwight Gayle and Lys Mousset.

He inherited Gayle (34) at Newcastle before allowing him to leave for Stoke in 2022, while he signed Frenchman Mousset (28) for Bournemouth for £6m in 2016.

Former forward Dwight Gayle is a free agent amid dearth of forward options for Howe

Former forward Dwight Gayle is a free agent amid dearth of forward options for Howe

The Premier League manual appears to say that a club would need permission from the Premier League board to sign a player outside of a transfer window, i.e. special dispensation, often in the case of an emergency in a certain position.

Newcastle could make a case by simply explaining that their current forwards are Wilson and Isak.

The confrontation between Joelinton continues

And finally, there has been no progress on the situation regarding Joelinton’s contract.

Last month we exclusively revealed that the Brazilian could be sold this summer if he does not sign a new contract, given that his contract expires in 2025. His current wage demands go beyond what the club is willing to pay.

As things stand, his departure remains more likely than his stay. Watch this space for future developments.

Joelinton appears more likely to leave St James' Park than stay after contract talks stalled.

Joelinton appears more likely to leave St James’ Park than stay after contract talks stalled.

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