European giants plotting bid for Newcastle striker amid FFP concerns

Newcastle could end up selling their star striker to a European giant amid concerns regarding their FFP situation.

Following the Saudi Public Investment Fund's takeover of the club in 2021, Newcastle aren't short of cash. Though they have spent big over the last couple of years on players like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, the Magpies are feeling the squeeze thanks to financial regulations.

The club are trying to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules, which prohibit clubs from making losses of more than £105 million over three seasons.

Newcastle recently registered losses of £73.4 million for the year ending June 30, 2023, so have work to do if they are to avoid breaking PSR and potentially receive points deductions.

Earlier this month, the club's CEO Darren Earles admitted that part of Newcastle's strategy to comply with the rules is to sell players for big profit margins.

He said: "The reality is that when you look at FFP, if you take a step back and look at PSR, there’s ways you can create that headroom. Player churn, it’s counterintuitive, but it’s the nature of the beat that it creates headroom."

Now it appears that Eddie Howe could lose striker Callum Wilson to that cause.

According to the Daily Mail, AC Milan want to sign the 31-year-old on a permanent basis this month.

While Newcastle have already rejected a loan move for the striker from Atletico Madrid and have made it clear that Wilson is going nowhere, they could be persuaded if the Serie A giants stump up a sizeable offer.

Newcastle paid around £20 million to sign Wilson from Bournemouth in 2020, and with 18 months left on his contract, now could be the last chance to cash-in and break even at the very least.

Wilson could be on his way to Milan.

However, selling Wilson would leave Alexander Isak as the only senior number nine at St James' Park, and it's not clear who Newcastle could target as an immediate replacement.

Another fan favourite at St James' Park already appears to be on the way out. According to reports, Newcastle and Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab have reached a provisional agreement for the transfer of Miguel Almiron.

Kieran Trippier is another first-team star who could be on the move. The 33-year-old club captain is wanted by Bayern Munich, but according to the Mail the Magpies rejected both loan and permanent offers over the weekend.

With Newcastle currently 10th in the Premier League table and struggling to replicate their form of last season, Eddie Howe is unlikely to sanction the sale of three key players.