The 22-year-old has netted three times since arriving in the Premier League last year
Newcastle United striker William Osula is reportedly closing in on a surprise £30m deadline-day transfer to Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt. The Danish forward, who only joined the Magpies from Sheffield United last year, has emerged as one of the most talked-about names in the final hours of the window.
According to Mail Sport’s Simon Jones, Aston Villa had also moved to sign Osula after a frantic day which already saw them agree a loan for Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, complete a free transfer for Victor Lindelof, and strike a £35m deal for England Under-21 star Harvey Elliott from Liverpool.
Osula shone at the Under-21 European Championships in Slovenia, netting three times and laying on two assists in just four matches for Denmark. He also featured for Newcastle against Villa on the opening day in a goalless draw and scored against Liverpool in a 3-2 thriller at St James’ Park while deputising for Alexander Isak. Most recently, he made his first league start against Leeds but drew a blank in a frustrating 0-0 draw.
Why Villa lost out on William Osula
Villa’s search for reinforcements has been fuelled by a stuttering start to the new campaign. Emery’s men opened with a dull stalemate against Newcastle, then suffered a 1-0 loss to Brentford before being humbled 3-0 by Crystal Palace at home. The Spaniard has been desperate to add depth up front and saw Osula as a key target to support Ollie Watkins.
Mail Sport’s Craig Hope claims Villa even had a fee agreed for the striker, thought to be close to Frankfurt’s £30m package. However, UEFA spending restrictions complicated the Midlands club’s pursuit. Hope wrote on X: “Aston Villa had also agreed deal for Will Osula but move was complicated by Uefa spending rules. Frankfurt deal being discussed includes buy-back option for NUFC.”
Why William Osula was on Villa’s radar
Osula joined Newcastle from Sheffield United in a deal worth around £10m plus £5m in add-ons. The 6ft 4in Copenhagen-born striker spent six years developing at Bramall Lane, where he scored prolifically at youth level—30 goals in just 14 academy matches between 2020 and 2024. Despite a modest senior record of three goals in 31 games for the Blades, his potential convinced Eddie Howe to bring him north.
So far at Newcastle, Osula has managed only three goals in 22 appearances, but with limited starts he has still shown glimpses of his quality—mixing physicality, sharp movement, and a knack for unsettling defences off the bench.
Speaking last week, Howe said: “I think anything is possible for Will. He’s made giant strides in a year and his game is in a much better place. He’s quick, strong, and scores goals regularly in training. At some stage, regular football will be vital for him to take the next step.”
That next step may now come in Germany. With Frankfurt qualifying for the Champions League after finishing third last season, and needing reinforcements following Hugo Ekitike’s switch to Liverpool and Omar Marmoush’s move to Manchester City, Osula looks set to join—likely with a Newcastle buy-back clause included.
