Newcastle United are considering a rival bid to prevent Aston Villa moving for Liverpool forward Harry Wilson, according to Football Insider.
The Reds product spent the recent campaign on loan in the Championship with Derby County, where his efforts caught the eye of several top-flight English and European sides.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion have all been credited with an interest in Wilson’s availability throughout the summer, after Liverpool placed a £25million asking price on the 22-year-old.
Newcastle and Villa are now understood to be considering permanent or temporary moves to acquire Wrexham-born Wilson, although Liverpool are yet to make a final decision on whether the 22-year-old’s long-term future will be at Anfield.
Should Jurgen Klopp decide to restrict Wilson’s departure to only loan deals, the Champions League holders are thought to want as much as £4million for one-season, eclipsing the £3million demanded from Derby a year ago.
The German is due to make a call on the 11-cap Wales international’s future imminently now the Reds have concluded their pre-season tour of America, with Wilson pushing for regular first-team football after featuring in 49 fixtures with the Rams last season.
Working under new-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, Wilson struck 18 goals and was credited with six assists across all competitions, with 16 of his personal strikes helping Derby to the Play-Off Final – where they lost to Aston Villa.
Lampard also deployed Wilson across his attack, with the 22-year-old deployed 23 times on the right-wing, ten times on the left-flank, and 16 times through the centre of the former England international’s midfield.
Newcastle fans reacting to claims that United executives are considering a permanent or loan deal for Wilson have been split in their views, however.
While parts of the St James’ Park faithful have deemed the forward a ‘cracking signing’ who can be a threat from set-pieces, others have seen the rumours as Toon chiefs ‘preparing for life in the Championship’.
Here’s how these fans reacted…
Much rather him than a worse version of Remy Cabella
— Splashh (@KeithTheLacy) July 25, 2019
It’s almost like we are preparing for life in the Championship.
— Lee (@leerobson23) July 25, 2019
As a Wales fan I maybe biased but would be a cracking signing just for his free kicks! ????????????
— JANCY ???????????????????????????? (@Llanboy) July 25, 2019
Loans are only any good if it’s permanent deal at the end
— Ali.blk????????♂️ (@BlackAliblack1) July 25, 2019
this would be a signing and a half
— Dan Pearce (@danpearce____) July 25, 2019
No thank you. Failed to turn up in the big games for Derby. Too light weight and too expensive for what we’d be getting
— Dean (@Bix1985) July 25, 2019
Would love this lad on loan! He looked far too good for the championship last season & would give us goals from mid especially set pieces #nufc
— Chris Currie (@Wig82) July 25, 2019
NO,NO,NO PLEASE NO!!! Massively overrated! Nothing but a free kick taker creates nothing!!
— Ben Woodward (@Ben_woodward9) July 25, 2019
This would be solid business for NUFC, ready for a chance in the PL, hungryband determined and seems he could higher up the pecking order as a wideman here as opposed to villa
— David J G (@DavidJG00615083) July 25, 2019
This would be the most exciting signing however, it still wouldn’t get me back onside!
— alan kay (@alankay86) July 25, 2019
Rather him than maximin
— Brad (@TroryBrad) July 25, 2019