Report: £80k-a-week Newcastle player now far from certain to see out his contract at St. James’ Park

By Ben Evans

Newcastle United forward Chris Wood could leave the club before this contract expires.

That’s according to a report from The Athletic, who were examining his importance to Eddie Howe’s side.

Record-signing Alexander Isak still not fully fit, and Callum Wilson returned from the World Cup with a slight hamstring issue.

Wood is therefore still an important player to Howe this season.

Newcastle play Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup tomorrow, and Wood looks set to lead the line.

The New Zealand international was signed in January this year from Burnley for £25m.

It was seen as an expensive deal for a 30-year-old forward who had only scored three goals that season.

Wood helped the Magpies avoid the drop, although he only contributed another two goals that campaign.

His reliability to be available when needed makes Wood an important player at St. James’ Park.

However, The Athletic believe Wood could leave Newcastle before his contract expires in 2024.

Wood could leave Newcastle before contract expires

The report suggests that, ‘Wood is unlikely to feature in Newcastle’s ambitious plans and it is far from certain that he will remain for the duration of his contract’.

The £80,000-a-week forward is a very different option to Wilson and Isak in that central role.

Not as mobile as his counterparts, Wood relies on his strength to contribute to build-up play.

The Kiwi is a capable finisher with his head and feet in close proximity to the goal.

However, the nature of the signings Howe has been making suggests they’re going in a different direction to style of football that suits Wood.

In recent days, Leeds have reignited their interest in Wood, after he had a spell at Elland Road that ended in 2018.

A previous report from The Athletic has suggested Newcastle want to replace the 31-year-old for next season.

The forward has appeared in nearly every Premier League match for the Magpies this season, although rarely from the start.

Wood clearly has a part to play in this campaign, but could now leave Newcastle when the season ends.