‘I’d be happy with that’: Newcastle 30-year-old says he wants to retire at St James’ Park

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Callum Wilson has shared that he would be ‘happy’ to retire in the colours of Newcastle United, as he told The Footballer’s Football Podcast.

The 30-year-old was asked about possibly playing abroad, with several English stars such as Jude Bellingham, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham, thriving in Germany and Italy, respectively.

But Wilson made it clear, because of his family, it would be difficult for him to head to another European league and he would be more than satisfied to hang up his boots at St James’ Park.

It has been two years since Newcastle paid then-relegated Bournemouth £20 million for Wilson’s talents (Sky Sports), and whilst the Mike Ashley era was a disaster, bringing Wilson to the club was one of the positive things to come out of that era.

If it wasn’t for injuries, then there’s no doubt that Wilson would have earned more England caps, but that’s been one dark cloud that continues to hover above the striker’s head.

Nonetheless, this is what Wilson had to say about ending his career at Newcastle after being asked about going abroad one day.

“I’ve not really thought about it,” said Wilson. “It’s about the family. It’s difficult for me. I am 30 with two kids, it’s a situation where I would have to take them abroad with me, so it’s not just myself I am making a decision on.

“Personally, for me, I would just retire at Newcastle. I would be happy with that.”

COULD WILSON MAKE A LATE SURGE INTO GARETH SOUTHGATE’S PLANS?

Usually, the last squad of players picked before a major tournament is a clear indicator as to who will be earning that sought-after golden ticket and who will miss out.

Wilson wasn’t invited in because he was injured, so during this small window until the Qatar World Cup starts in November, could he make a late surge into Gareth Southgate’s plans?

Well, the answer is probably no, simply because Southgate has seemingly lost the plot.

Ivan Toney earned his first call-up, yet despite being in-form, he didn’t earn a single minute, nor did Tammy Abraham, but players like Harry Maguire, who are struggling and warming the bench on the domestic stage, are making back-to-back starts.

Southgate clearly has his favourites, so that probably further dents Wilson’s chances of earning a recall, regardless of his form, so he will probably have to wait until the former centre-back is out of the door before he returns to the national set-up.