Newcastle are expected to announce the signing of Callum Wilson on a long-term contract on Monday, while a loan deal for Rob Holding is being held up by Arsenal.
The Magpies are on a recruitment drive this summer and established Premier League players have been Steve Bruce's priority. While last summer saw the colourful Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton arrive from the continent, this year has been about playing it safe.
Jeff Hendrick signed on a free transfer earlier in the window, and is expected to be followed by Ryan Fraser on a similar deal. The sensible, steady business doesn't stop there, as The Athletic's David Ornstein has delivered an update on their pending deal for Bournemouth striker Wilson.
? Callum Wilson completed Newcastle medical last night & will be at SJP this morning to sign 4yr deal + option of 5th that can be activated by him@GeorgeCaulkin on #NUFC recruitment https://t.co/nEm7ahKeBE & what it means for next season https://t.co/qrPsQCdMUk@TheAthleticUK
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 7, 2020
Ornstein's claims that Wilson underwent a medical on Sunday night conflict ever so slightly with what Keith Downie previously reported, that the 29-year-old was due in on Monday for testing. Either way, both seem to agree that a deal is close, and that Wilson will be at St James' Park on Monday with a view to concluding a transfer as soon as possible.
The Magpies are also in talks with Arsenal over a loan deal for out-of-favour defender Holding, who is looking to restore his reputation after an injury-ravaged couple of seasons. 90min reported last week that, along with Wilson and Fraser, Newcastle were confident of making a deal happen for the former England defender, who wants to prove his worth to Gareth Southgate ahead of next year's European Championships.
But while a deal was previously thought to be imminent, Ornstein adds that things have been held up somewhat, and Arsenal are yet to make a 'final decision' over letting him leave.
It was but Arsenal have delayed making a final decision ?
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 6, 2020
The Gunners have plenty of options at centre-back, but the issue is not many are reliable. New arrivals William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have improved the situation, but it seems they are unsure if Holding is in a position to compete for places with the likes of David Luiz, Callum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Shkodran Mustafi.
Source: 90min
