Newcastle could sell Hugo Ekitike replacement who Eddie Howe called the ‘complete package’

Newcastle spent much of the summer chasing a new Hugo Ekitike, but Eintracht Frankfurt believe William Osula can be that for them.

The Bundesliga giants sold their star talent to Liverpool over the Magpies in July and have been on the hunt for his replacement since.

Getty

Frankfurt had been desperate to land Osula, only for Newcastle to call off loan talks after a disagreement over a potential obligation to buy.

Eddie Howe shared his delight at holding onto the 22-year-old, calling him the ‘complete package’ following a strong start to the season.

Osula has scored three goals in 14 appearances this campaign, with his one Premier League strike ironically coming in a 3-2 defeat against Liverpool, in which Ekitike also netted.

However, the Denmark Under-21 international has made just one top-flight start and not featured at all since November 2.

Osula, who has now missed 16 games due to an ankle injury, is expected back next month, by which time he could be at Frankfurt.

William Osula transfer latest

European football expert Andy Brassell told talkSPORT.com: “There’s obviously been Frankfurt interest in Osula for a while, going back to when they sold Ekitike in the summer.

“They were hoping to get it over the line on deadline day, and it didn’t quite happen. And of course, Osula, at least partly to do with injury, has not played much since.

“But having said that, when he has played for Newcastle, it’s always felt as if he can contribute.

“So you can see why they would want to get him in, and you would see why they think he could make an impact for them as well.

“As far as I’m aware, they’ve had an agreement with Osula for quite a few weeks. It’s just about getting Newcastle to agree on a deal.”

‘This guy’s got the talent to go all the way’

“I think the sense is that Newcastle will happily cash in,” Brassell continued. “They feel they can make a really good profit.

“I spoke with Curtis Davies, who’d worked with him at Derby County, when he turned up at Newcastle in the first place, and I remember him saying, ‘This guy’s got the talent to go all the way.’

“It’s tempting to say that maybe Newcastle haven’t always been able to develop players from scratch in the past.

“I think you look at Ivan Toney, obviously that’s a different era of Newcastle, so you can’t really blame it on the present management.

“But it wouldn’t surprise me if a similar thing happened and Osula really went up a couple of other levels after going somewhere else.”

“In terms of his pace, his strength, add some goals to that, some consistency, and I think you’re away.

“He’s got all the physical attributes that would make him succeed. I think as well being an eventual replacement for Ekitike for Frankfurt.”

Will Newcastle regret selling him?

Howe had been following Osula for three years before completing a £10million deal to take him from Sheffield United in 2024.

His assistant manager, Jason Tindall, had recommended the striker following his stint under Paul Heckingbottom at Bramall Lane in 2021.

AFP

Getty

On the risk behind letting him go, Brassell told talkSPORT: “They’re looking at just over twice what they paid Sheffield United, from what I understand.

“That is a significant investment for Eintracht Frankfurt, and for that, I don’t think you’re getting a sell-on as well.

“So, I think you’re biting the bullet, and if he goes on and succeeds elsewhere, that’s one of those things you have to live with.

“I think factored into the price that Newcastle are asking is a sense of, we think there’s a good chance you can develop this guy and sell him on and if you’re prepared to take the risk, so are we!”