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‘Villa was agreed’: £20m PL striker suggests he came so close to joining Dean Smith’s side

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Callum Wilson has revealed to the Super 6 Podcast that he agreed to join Aston Villa in the summer, before he signed for Newcastle United.

Villa had agreed a fee with Bournemouth, and were pushing hard to get the front man.

However, he ultimately felt that a £20 million move to Newcastle (Sky) was a better option for him, due to the history of the club.

“On the same day Newcastle was agreed, Aston Villa was agreed as well,” Wilson said.

“So for me I had two big decisions. I like to keep my options open!

“It was a tricky one. I spoke with both managers and wanted to have the opportunity to go and see both clubs.

“I wrote down pros and cons for both clubs and a sheet of paper, which is how I make my big decisions.

“I looked at squads, I looked at everything – and nobody could have predicted how Aston Villa or Newcastle were going to go this season.

Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

“But for me when Newcastle came around there was such history of the club and I keep in touch with Shearer from time to time, so there was a connection there.

“Villa was back home, but I watched Goal as a kid, the film – for me it gave me goosebumps, even though it’s a film! And I was thinking this was me, this is Newcastle.

“I stand by my decision and, yeah, it’s been a good one.”

Villa ultimately went out and got Ollie Watkins to lead their line and he has been a brilliant recruit.

But landing Wilson would also have been a smart purchase from Dean Smith’s side.

Wilson says that he has no regrets about the move, but Villa have performed much more convincingly than Newcastle this campaign.

The Magpies are currently stuck in 17th place and fighting a relegation battle, while Villa occupy eighth spot after a really strong opening half of the season.