Callum Wilson’s short, one year long ‘performance related’ contract seemed more than enough when the former Magpies striker joined West Ham in August. Few were enthused at the time but the English frontman has been converting opinions ever since with goals and much improved fitness that saw him complete an almost full 90 minutes at old Trafford.
Just last month Claret and Hugh sounded the alert over Wilson’s vulnerability to another side offering him a better deal:(West Ham’s Callum Wilson contract conundrum-22nd Nov). His improved fitness and goal scoring prowess has apparently alerted cash strapped Aston Villa, according to givemesport.com who report:
“Aston Villa Eyeing Game-Changing Striker to Boost UCL Push, West Ham Star Fits Bill”,
Suggesting Callum Wilson is on their wanted list.
“There is conversation to be had about a couple of players who may be carrying baggage around with them. But who could do a job, nevertheless. Chief among them would be Callum Wilson.
The forward only signed a 12-month deal with West Ham United.
He’s now fit and playing – a situation that wasn’t always the case when he suffered a run of bad luck with of injuries at Newcastle United. The offer of a further year on his deal at Villa could be sufficient to sway the 33-year-old, who would be a perfect go-to guy.”
Villa don’t have the headroom to spend a whole bunch of cash on another costly recruit. Hence the interest in Wilson to plug the gap in their squad, which if true may be the very catalyst that causes West Ham to revisit Wilson’s contract situation.
Paid by appearance and goals, Wilson is on a low salary which might need redressing to avoid West Ham somehow losing their only functioning striker. Few would argue now that Wilson has proved his prowess – maybe it is time to pay the guy a half decent salary to ward off predators next month.
Nobody expects Niclas Fullkrug to be around next year: To lose Callum Wilson too, whilst heading towards relegation dogfight would be unthinkable. The second half of the season is looking an uphill struggle anyway- if the Hammers recruit a striker but don’t safeguard Callum Wilson’s stay then it could be one step forward, one step back towards the Championship.
I could have sworn that Wilson’s contract contained the ability for the club to extend it by a year…
The reality is with a player that has Wilson’s injury record any contract longer than 1 year is risky, he has been great for us though we need a young striker that will be the number one and Wilson the impact sub. I would like to see us negotiate a further year or have a rolling contract based on games played and goals scored which would probably suit all parties.
Martin, if he goes – he goes. Better to move on with our thanks, just the way David Moyes went, than tie himself down to occasional appearances on our bench.
Callum has bought us and himself time. He’s not about to develop into a ten-year Hammer but just might have two or three years left at the right place. We decided against being the right place when we agreed his current contract.