Omitted from the list of players ‘released’ by the Irons at the end of their contracts, Callum Wilson was reported as being ‘in talks’ at West Ham HQ just last week as the end of his contract approached.
The deadline – today – after which he becomes a free agent focussed attention on his situation and behind the scenes, West Ham must have hoped they could convince the veteran striker to stay on board and help win promotion back to the Premier League.
After all, he’d have been deadly in the Championship.
However it seems that those ‘talks’ were to no avail as it is reported today by NYTimes journalist David Ornstein that Wilson is quite possibly heading back to the Premier League:
“Brentford are in talks with Callum Wilson about potentially joining as a free agent. The striker is available after his contract with West Ham expired at the end of last season. Wilson, 34, is among a number of options Brentford are considering as they look to add to their attacking options. “
Wilson had struggled for game time under Nuno and it may be that which is holding him back from signing on for another season in east London.
Remember of course the veteran is ‘stuck’ on 95 Premier League goals and has always made no secret of his burning desire to join the PL100 club before his career ends.
Of course, extending his stay at West Ham would prevent him adding to that tally and it could well be that, in the final analysis, that tips the scales in favour of a move across London.
I’d really like him to stay. He’s old and injury prone, but he’s as close to a guarantee of goals as we’ll get. He’s not a player for the long term, he’s a player to help us get promoted first time.
He not nunos player, clearly not a fan since he was going to let him go in jan.
Why would wilson stay at his age ?
Depends what matters most to him. Could be various incentives, maybe a 2-year deal as opposed a 1 year elsewhere? More game time? Bonuses? I’m not suggesting this is what we should offer, just what might sway him.
Take your point about Nuno. Maybe he would see Wilson more favourably in the championship.