Leeds United's Illan Meslier saves from Newcastle United's Chris Wood
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth says that Chris Wood is ‘really close’ to joining Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United.
The Lowdown: Lack of minutes
Wood has not played as much as he perhaps would have liked to so far this season, starting just four games in the Premier League and completing the full 90 minutes just twice in all competitions (Transfermarkt).
With club-record signing Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson at Eddie Howe’s disposal, the New Zealand international seems to have fallen down the pecking order at St. James’ Park, and so could seek a move away before the transfer window closes.
The Latest: Joining Forest?
Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Transfer Show, Sheth has shared that Wood is ‘really close’ to joining top-flight rivals Forest on loan for the rest of the season, in what he describes as potentially being a ‘clever deal’ for the North East outfit:
“I’m told that this is really close to happening.
“This could be a clever deal for Newcastle as if he does well at Nottingham Forest, they might want that option to buy. If they don’t stay in the Premier League, but he still plays quite well, then his market value will still be quite high.
“If you remember, this time last year he signed a two-and-a-half year contract joining from Burnley. They spent £20-25m on him, they would want to recoup some of that money back. They think this is the best way to do that,
“He has only started four Premier League games and Alexander Isak is back to compete with Callum Wilson up front.”
The Verdict: Time to go
With Isak and Wilson already at the club, the Tynesiders can afford to let Wood go to Forest for the rest of the campaign, in order to get some more regular game time. He ranks 15th in the squad for overall performance this season (Whoscored), managing just 0.5 shots and 0.2 key passes per Premier League outing.
As Sheth explains, if the 31-year-old ends up playing well at the City Ground, then Forest may take up the option to buy him once his loan deal expires, and the Magpies could get the maximum value out of his potential sale.
Nonetheless, Wood is the joint-seventh highest earner at the Toon on £80,000-per-week, so Newcastle would also be saving money off of their wage bill by letting him go, assuming Forest are agreeing to take on some of his wages.
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