Leeds United eye £40m 'Champions League midfield' with double Newcastle United transfer swoop
Newcastle United transfers: One player linked with a move away from the club this transfer window is midfielder Joe Willock.
Joe Willock joined Newcastle United from Arsenal in 2021 for £25million following a successful loan spell.
The midfielder scored eight goals in 14 Premier League appearances for The Magpies during his initial loan spell. But since joining the club permanently, Willock has played a different role in the squad.
It’s been almost two years since the midfielder’s last Premier League goal, which came in a 4-1 defeat at his former club Arsenal in February 2024.
The 26-year-old has struggled for regular game-time over the past few seasons and has been limited mostly to substitute appearances this season, starting just twice in the Premier League in the first half of the campaign.
Willock came off the bench in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at St James’ Park and came close to making it 3-0 in the closing stages of the game. It was a golden opportunity for the midfielder to end his wait for a Premier League goal but it ultimately went begging.
Joe Willock subject to racist abuse as NUFC & Premier League respond
After the match, Willock was subject to threatening and abusive messages on social media which prompted statements from Newcastle and the Premier League.
It also saw a strong reaction from Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, who said: “Absolutely horrible, and I really felt for Joe to have to read that and absorb the words that were sent to him.
“Just his reaction, again, I thought was first-class. It's such a shame that any football player or any sportsman or any individual has to read those words, and I can't support him enough and give him love at this moment.”
Newcastle United’s transfer stance amid Leeds United interest
Newcastle host Leeds United on Wednesday night (8:15pm kick-off), one of several clubs credited with an interest in Willock. Crystal Palace, Newcastle’s last opponents, have also been strongly linked.
Leeds signed Sean Longstaff from Newcastle in the summer in a deal worth up to £15million and the midfielder quickly made an impact at Elland Road despite his recent injury troubles.
Longstaff and Willock formed part of a midfield that helped Newcastle finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League during the 2022/23 season.
Now Daniel Farke’s side could look to replicate that midfield with the signing of Willock, though Newcastle’s stance is clear.
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While Newcastle are open to the sale of Willock, who is keen to get regular first-team football, a January sale would require a significant offer to be made.
Mail Online claim a ‘serious’ offer would have to be made for Willock, who is valued at around £20million, in order for him to leave this month.
With Willock’s contract at Newcastle set to expire in June 2027, the club will want to cash in while he still holds value, though the reluctance to let him go in January is clear given the busy fixture schedule.
Newcastle are looking to bolster the midfield, having scouted AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, Auxerre’s Kevin Danois, Feyenoord’s Luciano Valente and AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara as young options. But any moves are likely to wait until the summer unless an ideal opportunity presents itself.
Eddie Howe plays down January transfer activity
A week into the January transfer window, Howe has claimed no major talks have taken place regarding any incoming signings.
He said: “Very loose discussions in terms of the transfer window as well, because we're in the middle of a really busy spell of games.
“ I think we're all aware, Ross [Wilson, sporting director] included, that as I've said before, our injury situation will dictate what happens in the market.
“I know the work's going on behind the scenes to prepare us for that. If we need to move, we can move.
“But if not, then we can keep our powder dry for the summer, because I think with the PSR world, as you talk about, anything we do now will impact us down the line.
“So I think we're in this sort of holding brief at the moment where we're awaiting to see what direction we take.”
Newcastle’s injury situation is clearing up as things stand with Anthony Elanga, Dan Burn, William Osula and Emil Krafth the only players currently sidelined.