Newcastle United have been warned off a summer transfer of Wales international Harry Wilson after hearing of Liverpool’s demands, according to Alan Nixon.
Toon chiefs had been considering a bid to bring Wilson to St. James’ Park this summer following his return to Anfield from a one-season loan spell with AFC Bournemouth, where the winger managed 20 starts over 31 top-flight appearances.
Liverpool are only interested in listening to permanent offers for the 17-cap forward, having agreed with Wilson that his year on the south coast would be his last temporary spell away from Merseyside and that he now must find himself a full-time home.
The Reds are yet to rule out the potential of retaining Wilson and utilising his services in their defence of a first Premier League title, but are aware of the interest building from other top-flight sides keen to improve before the curtain raiser.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and newly-promoted Championship title winners Leeds United are all touted as potential suitors for Wilson, but each have been warned off a move at this stage after hearing that Liverpool would demand at least £20million.
Villa, along with Wolverhampton Wanderers, have previously been named in rumours associated with Wilson’s future, though neither have moved on their interest due to prioritising other areas of the team.
It remains to be seen if Steve Bruce pushes Managing Director Lee Charnley to forge ahead with plans to sign Wilson, though any approach close to Liverpool’s ludicrous valuation would be a naïve move.
Would you take Wilson for £20m?
Yes
No
Wilson endured a vastly underwhelming campaign with Bournemouth as the Cherries saw their five-year stay in the Premier League come to an end, with the Liverpool product only managing seven goals and no assists while last finding the back of the net in January before enduring an 11-game drought.
He only found the back of the net through open play for four of his goals, with the others coming from set-pieces, too, while averaging just 1.0 shots, 0.5 key balls, 0.1 accurate crosses, 14.1 passes and 0.5 successful dribbles a game, per SofaScore.
If Newcastle are to target any player that had a role in Bournemouth’s relegation season, especially at the fee Liverpool would demand, Bruce would benefit far more from pushing ahead with his interest in Joshua King than in Wilson.