When it comes to goals scored in black-and-white, Callum Wilson is streets ahead of everyone else in this Newcastle United squad. Indeed, if it wasn't for injuries, the Magpies No 9 would have a whole lot more to his name.
The 32-year-old has been a standout performer for the Magpies ever since he signed from AFC Bournemouth in 2020, but as the years pass and new talent arrives, questions have been asked about his future at the club.
In a time when United need to bring in money through player sales in order to help finance new additions, Wilson has been seen as someone who could potentially move on, especially with Alexander Isak establishing himself as the No 1 striker. However, that would leave Eddie Howe desperately short of centre-forward options - and replacing someone of Wilson's ilk won't come cheap.
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West Ham were interested in a move for the former England star and Howe is known to be a big fan of his striker. So with the clock ticking on this summer's transfer market, here's what our writers would do with the forward.
Lee Ryder
I think Callum Wilson will be looking at this season as a bit of a second chance at Newcastle United, arguably an unexpected one. After all, he was offered to other clubs and there was interest from West Ham.
But when fit, I still think the number 9 has a lot to offer. Even at 32, he can do a job for Newcastle because you don't lose that knack of being in the right place at the right moment.
I think Wilson is a typical poacher and also brings that experience to the team. Once more he is still hungry to play at the top level and may even feel he can still play for England next season, he was playing for the Three Lions only 12 months ago.
Ciaran Kelly
Only Alan Shearer has scored more Premier League goals for Newcastle United than Callum Wilson - despite the striker only playing in 63% of the Magpies' top-flight fixtures since joining the club four years ago. Let that sink in.
Just as that statistic highlights Wilson's impressive goal ratio, it also underlines the unfortunate difficulties the number nine has faced in staying fit and it has not just been muscle strains of late. Wilson has suffered rather rare chest and back injuries in the last few months alone.
So what do Newcastle do? Do they keep Wilson for his final year of his contract or take up the opportunity to at least get a fee? This was always the big dilemma for me this summer. Can you find another striker who can score at least 10 goals a season while effectively being second-choice to Alexander Isak? Can you afford to when there are other key positions that need to be strengthened? That final point is what makes me veer towards keeping Wilson. Just. But Newcastle have to bring in a young alternative who could eventually step up as his successor and supplement Isak.
Andrew Musgrove
If I were Newcastle United I would be looking to see if anyone out there is willing to pay £15 million for his services. Newcastle can't afford to gamble on Wilson's fitness. We've been here before where it looks like he's back fighting fit only for him to break down when he gets near competitive football.
I write it with a heavy heart as there are few better goalscorers than Wilson in the Premier League but with what Newcastle need to achieve this season, they cannot pin their hopes on him being available for the entire season.
That being said, we know Howe wants to keep him - so unless some comes in with a big bid, Wilson will be a Newcastle player in the new season. You have to hope with the arrival of James Bunce as performance director, they can find the remedy to Wilson's injury woes. If they can do, he can rival Alexander Isak for that first choice spot - he's that good.
If he stays though, United need to bring in someone who can play up top - so a youngster or a winger who can be used up top when called upon. They cannot go into the season with just Wilson and Isak - it would be too risky.
Ross Gregory
This one pulls at the heartstrings, doesn't it? What a player he's been for Newcastle and Eddie Howe. I've still not seen many better performances than Wilson put in against Arsenal at the end of the 2021/22 season when he bullied their backline with pace and power, despite it being his first game back after four months out through injury.
He's more than just a goalscorer. he can lead the line, offer the first press and is clearly a great character to have around the camp.
But head over heart, it's time that his United career came to a close. Will the England man play more than 20-25 games next season? I doubt it and Newcastle need a robust, fit, younger model to support and challenge Isak.
I was mocked on Twitter (no change there) for suggesting Wilson could fetch a fee of £15m but I strongly believe he still offers something to the Premier League. Teams will snap your hand off for a striker who, if fit, could get them 10-12 goals that will keep them in the division.
With just 12 months left on his contract, I'd even take £10m and then snap up Jonathan David from Lille for £25m That deal, amortised over five years, would leave Newcastle better placed on and off the pitch.
Stuart Jamieson
If it wasn't for his injury record, this would be a no-brainer. Sure, the clock is now against Wilson as he enters the final years of his career at the top level at least, but the No 9 has not lost any of his killer instinct.
He showed at the end of last season that he is still very much a Premier League striker, and one that can be a huge asset to Newcastle. It would cost United a pretty penny to replace the former England striker in the squad and so I would keep him on Tyneside for another season.
Ideally, United need to sign a young striker as an alternative option from the bench - and someone who will provide goalscoring cover if Wilson's bad luck with injuries strikes again. Isak may be first choice, quite rightly, but there aren't many defenders who will relish the sight of Wilson coming on.
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