St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - July 29, 2022. Newcastle United's Chris Wood reacts.
Newcastle United striker Chris Wood will be ‘made available’ for a January exit should he want to leave, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Lowdown: Magpies eyeing Wood replacement
The New Zealand international was signed by Eddie Howe after he took over at St James’ Park, making the £25m move from then-Premier League side Burnley, but hasn’t made the impact he would have been hoping for upon his arrival on Tyneside in January.
Recent reports have claimed that the Magpies are looking to add a younger attacker to their ranks next year as the 30-year-old’s replacement, which suggests that he might not be at the club for much longer.
The Latest: Newcastle open to Wood sale?
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Wood is likely viewed as nothing more than a bit-part player by Newcastle, and has his reservations over why the Magpies wanted to complete that deal in the first place.
He said: “It’s always been hard for Chris Wood to fit in at Newcastle. The transfer seemed strange from the start. I think part of it was the fact that they were looking at set pieces and him getting on the end of crosses.
“But, with the way that Newcastle are now improving and moving on to another level, part of me does expect for him to be made available in January if he wants to move on.”
The Verdict: Time to move on
Callum Wilson has reportedly signed a new contract, and with the summer arrival of Alexander Isak on top of that, it seems that Wood won’t be able to get much of a look-in this season.
Despite being labelled a ‘handful’ by former BBC pundit Noel Whelan, the New Zealand international has made just one Premier League start this season and has scored only three goals in 26 appearances since joining Newcastle.
It’s obvious to see that Wood has fallen down the pecking order at St James’ Park and it will be hard for him to climb back up given the Magpies’ current form, so a move elsewhere for the £80,000-a-week striker would appear to be the best option for everyone involved.
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