Paul Merson was “flabbergasted” when Newcastle United permitted Chris Wood to join Nottingham Forest on a temporary basis. A provisional commitment to a permanent transfer is part of the change.
The goal of Steve Cooper was to boost his City Ground team’s chances of escaping relegation by securing a contract to capture Wood. The 31-year-old will now finish the season with the Reds. Nottingham Forest will reportedly pay £15 million to keep him in the summer, according to Sky Sports.
Should they meet the goals set by Newcastle, Wood will sign a deal with Cooper’s team that runs through June 2024. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe is now considering alternatives for the New Zealand international. For £25 million, he only relocated to St. James’ Park in January.
Newcastle encouraged Howe to recruit Wood from Burnley by waiving his Turf Moor release clause. Yet in 39 games with the Magpies, the forward managed just five goals. Just four goals in 35 Premier League appearances, beginning in game 19, were also part of his total while wearing black and white.
After Callum Wilson had a major calf injury that kept him out for four months, Howe made the decision to sign Wood. But once the club recruited Alexander Isak, the striker was unable to maintain a significant position on Tyneside. In August, the Magpies handed out a club-record £63 million to Real Sociedad.
Isak, who endured a thigh injury, has not made a splash since joining the Premier League. The problem limited the Sweden international to only four top-flight appearances thus far and forced him to miss three months of play. The 23-year-old, however, has contributed three league goals.
Wood only managed two goals in 18 Premier League games this season, leaving Newcastle to join Nottingham Forest on an initial loan. However, the Toon shocked Merson by allowing him to leave without first bringing in a successor for the 70-cap hero.
“Flabbergasted,” Merson exclaimed on Sky Sports News (21/1, 13:49). “Honestly, I’m shocked. I enjoy Isak and Wilson. However, one has been absent due to injury for a while, and you don’t appear to care about the other.
