Joe Willock finds himself in a fascinating, and incredibly difficult, situation at Newcastle United in 2026.
Just a couple of seasons ago, he was a dependable and dangerous part of Eddie Howe’s squad, routinely coming off the bench as a game changer and even starting from time to time.
A few years on, his stock and form has fallen, as Willock finds himself being the sixth choice option in centre midfield whilst being simultaneously plagued with injury issues that have eroded his reliability as a player.
Despite this, interest from clubs within the Premier League remains high, and with three potential suitors being named in a new report, is now the time for us to try and capitalise and sell Willock this year?
Premier League trio in for Willock?
According to the iPaper’s Mark Douglas, a trio of Premier League clubs look to have a keen interest in signing Joe Willock, but only if certain conditions are met.
Crystal Palace were previously linked earlier this season, and their interest still remains. But joining the Eagles in pursuit of Willock are Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
Douglas states the midfielder will be allowed to leave this month if our valuation is met, with previous reports suggesting we’ll demand a fee in the region of £20m.
Howe has made it very clear in the past that he wants at least six options available to him in centre midfield, so we could see a replacement sign if he is to depart.
The right time to go
It cannot be denied that the former Arsenal talent has regressed over the last 18 months.
Hopes of him replicating that blistering goalscoring form from back when he was a loanee have all but gone, with Willock looking like a player lacking confidence in his body over the past few seasons.
Even with the club being in a relatively healthy PSR situation after the Alexander Isak sale last summer, the prospect of a Willock sale would offer a significant boost to our future spending.
Additionally, selling Willock would further incentivise us to try and bring a new, younger midfielder into the squad: Kees Smit and Kevin Danois remain targets, with an addition needed if we’re to sell our sixth choice option.