Harry Wilson has arguably the biggest decision of his career to make in the coming weeks over his future, as he nears the end of his contract with Fulham. The 29-year-old is coming off the back of the most productive season of his career and has several options to choose from as Premier League clubs chase his signature.
Wilson's Stellar Season Attracts Interest
The Wales international enjoyed a fine campaign with 10 goals and seven assists for the Cottagers last term, although his form tailed off towards the end of the campaign. Those performances haven't gone unnoticed, with Aston Villa, Everton and Wrexham all linked with a move for the creative winger.
Fulham confirmed in their Retained List announcement on Monday that they have offered fresh terms to extend Wilson's deal. But after spending five years in west London, few could blame Wilson for wanting to explore his options as he chases one final lucrative contract. Conversely, it's also the club that took a chance on him following a succession of loans with Liverpool and he's planted roots in London, so walking away won't be an easy decision.
Khan Hints at Manager Influence
Owner Tony Khan hinted that Wilson's departure could be tied to the club's successor for head coach Marco Silva, who has left his position to take over at Portuguese club Benfica. “Regarding Harry: We have had a lot of contact. It’s something we have been talking about for a long time. The club and Harry will continue to have good conversations,” Khan said. “To be honest, I think Harry is very interested to see who the manager will be. If Marco had stayed, maybe Harry would be signed up and here by now, because I certainly think Harry has an interest in staying and we have an interest in Harry staying as well.”
Perhaps it's fair to say that Wilson is looking for his ambitions to be matched, and there may be other clubs more suitable than Fulham in that regard. Aston Villa, for example, will play in the Champions League next season after finishing fourth and winning the Europa League - and that's a dream scenario for any player.
Aston Villa: A Champions League Opportunity
The Villans have made enormous strides under Unai Emery, one of the best coaches in the Premier League, and they are determined to break the barriers of the Big Six by finishing above the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. The problem for Wilson is that he may not be guaranteed a starting spot if he throws himself into such a competitive environment.
Much could depend on the future of Morgan Rogers. If the 23-year-old departs this summer as expected, Wilson could take his place in the No. 10 role, or even fill in for Emi Buendia as he moves across to fill the void. In the peak years of his career, he will want to ensure that playing time is almost guaranteed.
Everton: A Familiar Rivalry
There are other options to consider, one of them being Everton. As a former Liverpool player, joining the Toffees might feel a little strange but Wilson's ties with the Reds are not as strong as perhaps a homegrown Merseyside-born academy product. David Moyes represents a good fit for his profile and the Scot's tendency to get the best out of players, and his chances of featuring regularly may be better there than with Villa.
Everton are making gradual progress in the Premier League, even if their 13th-place finish doesn't suggest that. For much of the season, Moyes' men were in with a chance of competing for Europe before falling away in the final weeks of the season.
Wrexham: A Sentimental Return
And, of course, there is always the option of going back where he belongs. Wilson was born in Wrexham but never played for the Welsh outfit, which is understandable given they were down in the lower echelons of the football league pyramid for the majority of his career. That's no longer the case since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over and they showed their ambition in fighting for a play-off place in the Championship last season.
The Welshman may feel the emotional strings of his place of birth pulling him in that direction, but the fact remains that moving to Wrexham would represent a gamble. Dropping down a division while Premier League teams are keen on him would be an odd move to say the least, but stranger things have happened.
Following Silva to Portugal?
At this stage, even following Silva to Portugal cannot be ruled out considering their close working relationship. Wilson knows that wherever he goes, this decision will be the most important one he makes in his career; does he vote with his head and plump for Champions League glory with Aston Villa, or decide with his heart and stick with the club that picked him when others wouldn't?
That dilemma will be playing on his mind over the coming weeks, but with perhaps three or four years left at the top, chasing his dreams might be the best path to follow.
