England international considering Newcastle United exit - with £25m replacement lined up

Callum Wilson is considering his options after falling down the pecking order at Newcastle United, according to reports.

The 32-year-old endured another injury-ravaged campaign on Tyneside - starting just nine Premier League games. Wilson has been instrumental since joining Newcastle, netting 47 top-flight goals.

Only Alan Shearer has scored more in the Premier League era but concerns remain about the striker’s fitness. For context, Wilson has missed 37 per cent of Newcastle’s league games in four years due to injury.

Alexander Isak has emerged as the club’s first-choice striker in his absence - bagging a staggering 25 goals across all competitions last season. With the Swede also suffering niggling setbacks, the Magpies would prioritise a more robust backup.

The Telegraph claim Wilson is “interested” in a new challenge - with first-team football a preference. Premier League interest is likely given his goal record but there could be options abroad.

Reports in January linked the England international with a move to Atletico Madrid despite being sidelined. Wilson only has a year remaining on his Newcastle contract so now would be the time to cash in or risk losing him for nothing.

The piece also suggests Everton striker Dominic Calvert Lewin - whose contract also has 12 months to run - as a possible replacement. Toon chiefs have previously targeted the 27-year-old, worth a reported £25million.

Eddie Howe opened up about wanting to keep Wilson on Tyneside at the back end of last season. He said: "I expect him (Wilson) to come back. I expect him to be at Newcastle next season. I love my players, I love all of them. But different players at different times you might have to say goodbye to them.

“Of course, I want him at the club next season. I’ll do everything I can to make that happen. If you lose a player of that quality, to find a player of equal standard will cost the club a lot of money.”