Why Newcastle are spending $19 million on William Osula

Newcastle United is close to spending $13 million, plus up to $6 million in add-ons, on Sheffield United’s 21-year-old striker William Osula.

It is rare, if not entirely unprecedented, for an English club outside the Premier League to receive such a lofty fee for a player who is still relatively unproven at any level of senior soccer. Indeed, he has a goal record that does not inspire confidence. The Danish forward has scored just eight times in 52 career appearances.

For instance, similar-aged strikers like Fulham’s Jay Stansfield, who enjoyed goal-filled loan spells in both League One and the Championship, would be unlikely to command a transfer fee comparable to what is being touted for Osula.

So why is Newcastle, a club whose transfer business has been largely effective rather than flamboyant since their controversial October 2021 takeover, willing to pay a transfer sum that seems well over market value for Sheffield United’s young striker?

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William Osula has the desirable traits of an elite-level striker

There is a growing trend among Europe’s top clubs to take greater risks in the transfer market on young players they believe they can develop. Young players with desirable attributes, generally a combination of height, speed, and directness, are now viewed as projects to work with and coach rather than as unproven or unsuccessful at the elite level.

In the past, top clubs might have preferred young strikers who were already demonstrating an ability to perform and score goals in senior soccer. However, modern recruitment focuses more on acquiring players with the right blend of physical attributes and the potential to evolve into world-class talents with the appropriate coaching.

Osula stands 6ft 3in tall, has the speed to get in behind defenses, and possesses powerful ball-striking abilities, which, irrespective of his 21…

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newcastle-spending-19-million-william-osula/

Author : Euan Walsh

Publish date : 2024-08-05 15:59:40

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