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Callum Wilson has made it clear he has no intention of warming the bench at Newcastle United - and is now closing in on a move to West Ham United.
The 33-year-old striker, who spent five years at St James' Park, turned down a new contract from Newcastle after growing frustrated with a reduced role behind Alexander Isak.
Determined to continue playing at the highest level, Wilson is prioritising regular football over simply staying in the Premier League.
"I am 33. I have still got so much to give in the game," Wilson said.
"I feel mentally and physically still able to more than contribute in however many games in a season.
"It is just difficult, you are playing at a club when you have got arguably one of the best strikers in world football at the moment, in the form of Alex Isak, to break in is difficult. I am never one who shies away from a fight, I would happily be there to push and take my opportunity when it arose, but it just didn't seem to arise in the back end of the season.
"I was fit from January, I made two starts and numerous substitute appearances but they were all five or 10 minutes here or there. Alex deserves the right [to play].
"He has had a fantastic two seasons at the club, all credit to Alex, but I don't see myself permanently cemented as a number two striker.
"I don't want the last few years of my career to fizzle out and sit around on the bench and just collect money but not actually contribute to these wins, to these Champions League games, to these cup finals.
"You want to be part of it, you want to be scoring and assisting in these games and deciding these matches. Being the character I am, being as motivated as I am and ambitious in terms of trying to get into the hundred club and things like that, it was the right decision to leave Newcastle."
Wilson endured a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, scoring just once - in an FA Cup tie against Birmingham City - and failing to register a goal in the Premier League.
Despite that dip in form, interest in the veteran forward remains strong. Both Leeds United, newly promoted back to the top flight, and Burnley have shown interest. However, it is West Ham United who are leading the race and are expected to complete a deal in the coming weeks.
A move to the London Stadium would offer Wilson the regular minutes he craves and the opportunity to prove he can still make an impact at Premier League level.
