Newcastle United open to offers for Joe Willock this summer

Newcastle United open to offers for Joe Willock this summerNewcastle United are prepared to listen to transfer offers for central midfielder Joe Willock this summer. The Magpies have identified the 26-year-old as a highly sellable asset due to his contract situation, with Willock entering the final 12 months of his deal at St James’ Park and an extension currently looking unlikely. Recognising that this window represents their last real opportunity to secure a transfer fee, Newcastle are ready to part ways to avoid losing him on a free next year. Willock also provides Newcastle with an attractive mechanism to help meet Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) obligations. Having joined permanently from Arsenal in 2021, most of his transfer fee has been amortised. As a result, the majority of any fee received would count as immediate net profit, giving sporting director Ross Wilson and manager Eddie Howe greater flexibility to pursue top-tier targets.

>Despite making sporadic impactful contributions during his time with the Magpies, Willock has struggled for regular minutes over the past three seasons. Persistent Achilles and calf injuries have disrupted his rhythm, pushing him behind the established midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton.

>While Willock has recently expressed his desire to fight for his place on Tyneside, strong domestic interest could quickly accelerate his departure. Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Leeds United have all previously been linked with the energetic box-to-box midfielder.

>Willock is not the only Newcastle midfielder facing an uncertain future this summer, as speculation over Sandro Tonali’s future continues to intensify.

>Tottenham Hotspur have already seen an opening bid for the Italian rejected, while Manchester City and Arsenal also hold an interest.