‘I’d have given him a lift up to SJP’: Alan Shearer raves about Newcastle newcomer

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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has waxed lyrical about Magpies newcomer Callum Wilson, in conversation with BBC Sport.

The St James’ Park outfit has enjoyed a great transfer window so far, with the highly-rated striker joining from Bournemouth for a reported £20million fee.

As well as Wilson, Newcastle snapped up left-back Jamal Lewis from Norwich for a reported £15million, while Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick and Mark Gillespie have arrived on free transfers.

Wilson, who registered 67 goals and 30 assists from 187 competitive Cherries appearances, spoke of the role Shearer – who he’s been in touch with for a few years – played in his switch to Tyneside.

“We have also been in touch about coming here,” the 28-year-old is quoted by Chronicle Live as saying. “I asked a few questions: ‘What’s it like around the town?’ and things like that.

“He was nothing but in praise of the football club and the place. It was already in my mind that I was coming here but that just nailed it on and it was concrete.”

In his 2020-21 Premier League pre-season preview, Shearer touched on the conversation he had with Wilson as well as praising his much-needed arrival.

“The signings that Steve Bruce has made so far are definitely encouraging – we desperately needed a goalscorer but buying Callum Wilson has covered that off,” Shearer told BBC Sport.

“He is a player I think highly of and he is capable of scoring the goals to keep us out of another relegation battle.

“Callum is 28 and a proven Premier League goalscorer – he was valued at around £30-40m a few years ago but Newcastle have got him for £20m, which is a steal.

“If he hits form he might just get back in the England squad too – I hope so anyway.

“He contacted me before he joined to ask about the club and the area. As you can imagine, I was very positive about it all.

“In fact, I would have given him a lift up to St James’ Park to sign his contract, if he’d wanted one!”

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With Newcastle struggling on the goalscoring front last season, a proven Premier League goalscorer was a necessity and, in Wilson, they’ve got just the right man.

Steve Bruce had a decent season at SJP last time out and deserves a shot at getting his boyhood club higher up the table – and with the signings they’ve made so far, things look promising.