As Newcastle United prepare for another ambitious season under Eddie Howe, several squad decisions will shape the club’s immediate future and long-term trajectory. Among the most intriguing is the future of William Osula. The Danish forward arrived from Sheffield United in the summer of 2024 as a highly-rated prospect, but after a campaign spent largely on the fringes of the first team, questions remain over what comes next.
Should Newcastle keep him, sell him, or send him out on loan?
The answer is straightforward: Newcastle should keep William Osula.
At first glance, the argument may appear difficult to make. Osula’s statistics do not immediately jump off the page. During the 2024-25 season, he made limited Premier League appearances and scored once in the league while also contributing in cup competitions. Across all competitions, he managed two goals and two assists despite playing only a modest number of minutes. (Tribuna)
However, judging a 21-year-old striker purely on end-product would miss the bigger picture.
When Newcastle signed Osula from Sheffield United for a fee reported to be around £10 million, the club was investing in potential rather than immediate production. Eddie Howe described him as a talented young forward with exciting attributes and a player whose development Newcastle had followed closely. (The Guardian)
That potential remains evident whenever Osula takes the field. He possesses pace, athleticism, aggression without the ball and the versatility to operate across the front line. Newcastle’s recruitment team viewed him as a developmental project rather than a finished article, and nothing from his first season suggests that assessment was wrong.
Selling him now would make little sense.
His market value has not significantly increased since arriving on Tyneside, meaning Newcastle would likely struggle to generate a substantial profit. More importantly, selling a young player after just one season would contradict the club’s strategy of identifying and developing emerging talent. Newcastle have invested considerable time and resources into nurturing young players under Howe, and Osula deserves the same patience afforded to others.
The loan option is more tempting but still carries risks.
A loan move can accelerate development, especially for young forwards who need regular minutes. Yet Newcastle’s squad situation argues against it. Alexander Isak remains the undisputed first-choice striker, but Newcastle have experienced injury concerns in attacking areas in recent seasons. Having a young, energetic forward available as depth could prove invaluable during a campaign that may involve domestic and European commitments.
Furthermore, Osula’s development may actually benefit more from remaining within Howe’s demanding training environment. The Newcastle manager has built a reputation for improving players through elite coaching and careful progression. Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Joelinton have all elevated their games under Howe’s guidance. The club will believe Osula can follow a similar path. (The Guardian)
There is also a financial reality to consider. Newcastle continue to navigate Profit and Sustainability regulations carefully. Developing a young striker internally is often more cost-effective than repeatedly entering the transfer market for backup forwards.
Perhaps the strongest argument for keeping Osula is his age. At just 21, he remains years away from the traditional peak age for a striker. Many forwards do not fully develop until their mid-twenties. Newcastle knew they were signing a raw talent, not a finished goalscorer. Expecting immediate returns was always unrealistic.
The verdict is clear. Selling Osula would be premature. Loaning him out would provide minutes but remove an increasingly valuable squad option. Keeping him at Newcastle offers the best balance between development, squad depth and long-term planning.
The goals may not arrive in abundance immediately, but Newcastle did not buy William Osula for what he was in 2024. They bought him for what he could become. One season later, that remains the smartest bet.
