Why Man Utd should put everything into signing Callum Wilson

Jacque Talbot

• 25 Jan 2024 12:15 GMT
• 3 min read

Callum Wilson is one of the many unsung heroes of Newcastle. Let’s be brutally honest, his prolific goal-scoring exploits demand more attention than what has been fair.

The striker, having netted an impressive 45 Premier League goals for the Magpies, surpasses the tallies of iconic figures like Les Ferdinand and Andy Cole. His £20 million arrival from Bournemouth during the Steve Bruce era now seems like a bargain, especially when considering his remarkable record of 0.51 goals per game, even outshining the legendary Alan Shearer's 0.49.

In a league bustling with star strikers, Wilson's prowess has been overshadowed - he is one of the most under-appreciated gems in English football, save for a touch of injury concern. His goal-scoring prowess transcends something coachable - the impeccable timing and intuition is only something the greats also share.

As Manchester United grapple with an abysmal goal-scoring drought this season, the urgency for a new striker is obvious. Scott McTominay has become their unlikely top scorer with five, while Marcus Rashford is struggling, having netted four goals. Rasmus Hojlund, though brimming with talent, was brought in too soon for his age. The pressure on the shoulders of the former Atalanta player to find goals is enormous.

Why Callum Wilson would not just be a fill-in

Unlike some of the attackers that Man Utd have been linked with, the prospect of Wilson - who is admired by Chelsea - joining is not merely a remedy for the now, but also for the future, even if he turns 32 years old next month.

With Wilson, there is also a window of opportunity for the future; believe it or not, he has the capability of delivering 20 goals across all competitions. His vast Premier League experience also means that he would seamlessly integrate into the setup at Old Trafford.

However, the road to hypothetically securing Wilson is complicated. Reports have suggested that Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are eyeing the striker with keen interest, though Newcastle did not wish to see him leave. But the Magpies are, like a lot of Premier League clubs this window, grappling with the need for reinforcements amid financial constraints.

Man Utd do have more leeway, though and Wilson would represent a sensible and potentially affordable option, Wilson could be the catalyst for a resurgence. Perhaps the whiff of a £20millon offer might just coax Newcastle into negotiations. This really could be a deal of mutual benefit for every party involved.