One of the more unexpected twists on this summer’s transfer deadline day involved young Danish striker Will Osula, who was widely reported to be on the verge of joining Eintracht Frankfurt.
At the time, Newcastle United had just completed the record signing of Nick Woltemade, while the highly anticipated announcements regarding Yoane Wissa and Alexander Isak were expected late on Monday, 1 September 2025. As predicted, Newcastle confirmed Isak’s departure to Liverpool, followed shortly by Wissa’s arrival. However, there was silence on the Osula-to-Frankfurt deal and now the reason has come to light.
According to an exclusive report from The Mail, a permanent deal worth around £30 million was nearly finalized, with Osula even preparing to leave Denmark’s national team camp to complete the move. Newcastle had negotiated a buy-back clause in the agreement, having signed the striker just a year earlier from Sheffield United.
However, Frankfurt changed their proposal at the last minute, shifting to a loan deal with an option to buy. Despite the loan fee exceeding £6 million, Newcastle’s majority owners Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) intervened and cancelled the move, reportedly believing the revised terms heavily favored the German club.
As a result, Osula remains at Newcastle, still developing his game. The 20-year-old has limited senior experience, with only 13 career league starts: nine in a struggling Sheffield United side, three during a loan at Derby County, and one Premier League appearance for Newcastle this season. His performances, including goals against Liverpool and a brace versus Bradford, suggest potential, but he’s still considered a work in progress.
Some Newcastle fans have unfairly criticized the young striker, despite him being a £10 million investment with potential add-ons not a marquee signing. Given today’s inflated market, Osula is arguably already proving to be worth that valuation, especially with Frankfurt’s £30 million interest. Whether he can grow further at Newcastle and justify an even higher value remains to be seen but he’ll have the opportunity to show it this season.
