Cherries star to have Toon medical today

CALLUM Wilson’s camp are confident that the Bournemouth striker’s move to Newcastle United is ‘almost done’, with the forward set to have his medical today.

The Magpies have had a £20m bid accepted by the Cherries, while Mike Ashley laid on his helicopter to fly the forward north yesterday.

Wilson is keen on a move to St James’ Park and, with the European Championships on the horizon, the England international hopes to stay in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts by playing in the Premier League.

Last week, The Chronicle revealed Wilson’s camp ‘did not expect’ the 28-year-old to stay with the South Coast club ‘much longer’. Sources close to the player have since confirmed a deal is ‘almost done’.

A number of top-flight clubs, including Aston Villa, West Ham and Spurs, had previously shown an interest in Wilson after Bournemouth were relegated to the Championship earlier this summer.

Steve Bruce ( inset) has monitored Wilson’s rise over the years – noting his hunger and mental strength as much as his goalscoring ability after bouncing back from two serious knee injuries – and the striker is understood to be in impressive condition after a productive pre-season with Bournemouth.

With personal terms to be finalised and a medical to take place, Newcastle have arguably overcome the biggest hurdle, which was Bournemouth’s asking price, and, tellingly, Villa have since pulled out of the race.

It is far from a coincidence that Bruce hopes to reunite Wilson with Ryan Fraser, his former Bournemouth team-mate.

The pair were directly involved in 12 goals together in the 2018/19 season – which remains the most fruitful combination in a 38-game Premier League campaign.

Bruce has been keen to target proven top-flight players in his first full summer window in charge.

The bulk of Newcastle’s signings last year were aged 25 and under and did not have any Premier League experience so needed time to adapt on and off the pitch.

Given the short turnaround before the new season starts, Bruce has since targeted players whom he believes can settle quickly and will buy into the team-first mentality in the dressing room.

The Newcastle head coach hopes the club can now complete a handful of new signings before the first game of the season at West Ham on Saturday and deals for Fraser and Jamal Lewis are also believed to be close.