Leeds United linked with signing £20m Newcastle United star - ‘serious’ transfer offer required

Leeds United have been linked with signing Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock this month.

Willock has spent four-and-a-half years as a permanent Newcastle United player after joining the club from Arsenal for £25m back in the summer of 2021. That move came after a mightily impressive loan spell from the Gunners during the second-half of the previous campaign.

Willock netted eight goals in 14 appearances during his loan spell on Tyneside, including a run that saw him net in seven-straight appearances to end the campaign. Whilst he has never been able to hit those immense heights since, he has played a crucial role under Eddie Howe having been used both in midfield and on the wing during his time at the club.

However, Willock has slipped from being a first-team regular, giving a rise to speculation on his future at the club in recent transfer windows. Reported interest from Crystal Palace arose during the summer window, although that never translated into a bid for the former Gunner.

The opening of the January transfer window has once again ushered in fresh talk surrounding Willock’s future at St James’ Park with Leeds United, the side that came out on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller with Newcastle United on Wednesday night, the latest to be credited with an interest in the midfielder.

Joe Willock & Leeds United transfer update

Earlier this week, the Mail Online reported that only a ‘serious offer’ for Willock would be considered by Newcastle United this month. A reported fee of around £20m could tempt the Magpies into a sale, although it’s likely that they will want to source a replacement before any deal is sanctioned.

Willock has 18-months left on his current contract at St James’ Park and whilst his value won’t diminish too much between now and the summer transfer window, the Magpies will face a decision on whether to cash-in on him whilst they can maximise the money they receive for his services, or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer if no contract extension is agreed.

Leeds Live, meanwhile, report that Willock is ‘not a name’ that Leeds United are considering this month. The report goes on to state that the Whites are reportedly close to their PSR limit and unless they are able to sell one of Daniel Farke’s squad members, then loan deals are more likely than permanent transfers this month.

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Whilst Newcastle United likely have more PSR headroom than Leeds this month, it is anticipated that they will follow a similar path in the transfer market and only add to their squad if they move on some of their current players. The Magpies have not signed a senior player during the mid-season transfer window since the addition of Anthony Gordon back in 2023.

Financial restrictions have limited their ability to strengthen in the winter window over the previous two campaigns. Injury issues affecting Howe’s squad, in particular his back-line following Fabian Schar’s serious looking injury, may force them into the transfer market this month, though.

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