Chelsea and Man Utd £18m Newcastle United target responds to transfer link

Newcastle United star Callum Wilson has refused to comment on his future on Tyneside amid transfer links to rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as clubs on the continent including AC Milan and Atletico Madrid.

After a series of transfer windows where the North East club have been focused on incomings, it is now rumours of sales that grip Newcastle United this month. Full-back Kieran Trippier has been courted by Bayern Munich while Miguel Almiron has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia as the club looks to bring in revenue.

A new report from the Evening Standard claims that Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all 'alert' to a possible £18 million transfer move for proven Premier League goalscorer Wilson. All three of the clubs are known to be in the market for a striker and that fee could prove much more realistic than splurging over £100 million on Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen.

Newcastle United are looking to raise funds to abide by Premier League profit and sustainability rules having spent around £400m since the takeover by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund in 2021. Wilson has become second-choice to Swedish international Alexander Isak up front and is seven years older than his teammate.

The England international, who has seven top-flight goals this term in an injury-ridden season, would be a major coup for the Blues, Gunners and Red Devils with his proven Premier League prowess. The player plundered 18 goals for Newcastle United in the league last term and has scored at least eight every season since 2017/18.

Wilson was asked about his future at St James' Park on the latest episode of the Footballer's Football Podcast on BBC Sounds but refused to tell host Rickie Haywood-Williams what was going on behind the scenes. Haywood-Williams asked: "Also speaking about transfer speculation, Cal, there are rumours around yourself. Can you shed any light around the rumours of AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and apparently there was a loan bid Newcastle rejected too?"

Wilson refused to outright rule out a move and commit to Newcastle United but refused to comment as he bluntly replied 'no'. He added: "There's always speculation around players, not just regarding myself, but everyone else in the squad I'm sure. I've not much more to say than that."