Callum Wilson has agreed terms with West Ham over a move to the London Stadium. The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Newcastle at the end of last season, and has also attracted interest from Saudi Arabia.
Wilson's agent, Will Salthouse, has a close relationship with David Sullivan
Leeds United also hold an interest in the England international but West Ham are currently leading the chase for the striker. Wilson’s agent, Will Salthouse, has a close relationship with David Sullivan and approached the Hammers owner over a move for the free agent.
West Ham are believed to have responded with an offer to the striker of a minimal salary with bonuses for goals and appearances
West Ham are believed to have responded with an offer to the striker of a minimal salary with bonuses for goals and appearances. The offer is similar to the one that Newcastle offered of a pay-as-you-play style deal to remain at St James’ Park.
Wilson subsequently turned down the Magpies’ offer in favour of free agency. He is set to become the Hammers’ third signing of the summer following the arrivals of midfielder El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters.
Graham Potter's side also welcomed the permanent signing of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo
Graham Potter's side also welcomed the permanent signing of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo who spent last season on loan at the London Stadium. Newcastle paid Bournemouth £20million to secure Wilson’s services in 2020. He repaid the club with 49 goals and 11 assists in 130 appearances.
He was part of the team that ended the club’s 70-year wait for silverware by beating Liverpool 2-1 in last season’s Carabao Cup final. A succession of injuries plagued his time on Tyneside despite featuring in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
However, his final season at the club proved to be his most frustrating one, having played in just 20 matches, scoring once. In the match programme prior to Newcastle's penultimate home game, a 2-0 win over Chelsea, Wilson labelled the campaign as ‘one of my worst’.
Wilson was Newcastle’s first-choice striker prior to the arrival of Alexander Isak in 2022
He wrote: “As a collective, it’s been one of the best campaigns and teams I’ve been a part of – yet individually, it’s been one of my worst seasons.” Wilson was Newcastle’s first-choice striker prior to the arrival of Alexander Isak in 2022.
But Isak’s heroics on Tyneside saw Wilson’s game time reduced as he played second fiddle to the Swede. The Coventry-born hitman recently landed himself a new role as a pundit for DAZN’s coverage of the recent FIFA Club World Cup.
The striker imparted his knowledge and experience while casting an expert over the revamped club tournament in the United States. He joined ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and Sami Khedira on the panel, while former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given was also part of the team.
Former Manchester United star Kleberson and Christian Vieri lined up alongside Wilson for the four-week showpiece which saw Chelsea crowned world champions.
