William Osula transfer truth emerges after Newcastle United came 'close' to losing striker

Eddie Howe has lifted the lid on William Osula's summer transfer talks with Bundesliga side

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admits that the Magpies came eerily close to selling William Osula in September.

Back then, Eintracht Frankfurt approached Newcastle for a loan deal with an option, with Osula open to the move to the Bundesliga. But once it became apparent that the German side had the option to get out of a potential permanent deal, the plug was pulled.

The original deal would have seen Newcastle get £4.3m for a loan deal but after an obligation for a sale worth £30m was inserted, Toon owners PIF opted out of the sale.

Osula - who is in contention to start against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup at St James' Park - is now hopeful of getting a run in the team. And Howe said that possibility was getting closer for the Danish Under-21 star who set up the winner against the Cottagers.

Howe, speaking at his pre-match Press conference ahead of the cup clash with Spurs, said: "I think it was quite close and he could have left.

OPINION

READ MORE : Newcastle United offered star with £87m release clause and Fabian Schar replacement linked

"In a variety of ways, whether a loan or permanent. We wanted Will to play. The next step for Will was to play especially with us bringing in two strikers. We believe in his talents, he is quick and athletic.

"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."

Meanwhile, Howe insisted that Sven Botman is still a doubt after coming off against Fulham at the weekend with a head injury. But the game comes too early for Lewis Hall with West Ham now the expected date of return for the England left-back.

On Botman Howe said: "It was quite a nasty cut. He did not train yesterday, so we will see how he is today."

"Lewis is the closest to coming back out of those injured, but this game will come too quickly for him. Tino Livramento is still on track, we are looking at the Manchester City game for him for when he can be available for."

Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.

Click here to read article