Arsenal ponder Joe Willock transfer u-turn

Reasons Why Arsenal May Rethink Joe Willock Future

Based on the reports at hand, wanting £20m for Willock and then mulling over a different pathway could be down to a number of reasons.

Firstly, Newcastle aren’t the only ones with an interest. It’s added by The Athletic that Arsenal are in a ‘strong position’ in regards to Willock’s future given the sides who’ve had their ears perked up, with this altered stance potentially with an eye on bumping his price up further. If they want to accrue as much money as possible, enticing clubs to test their resolve could spark a bidding war, one the club would welcome with open arms.

There is also the chance of a reaction based on other transfer dealings.

Dani Ceballos won’t stay, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi will be sold and Mohamed Elneny shouldn’t stay unless he’s fifth or so choice in central midfield. That leaves just Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Joe Willock left, working on the obvious basis that Ainsley Maitland-Niles isn’t returning to be a central midfielder.

Finance dictates so much and if those three stay Arsenal will still need to delve into the market to add midfield reinforcements. They can’t realistically purchase two or even three midfielders with the wealth of areas that need tending too, thus internal promotions may be essential.

It’s thought that Miguel Azeez will be bumped up into the senior fold next term, an inevitable move for a supremely talented youngster, but that still won’t do. Arsenal need goals from midfield and if some of the deals they’re trying to conclude in the summer have hit snags, then losing Willock without a replacement could be detrimental.

Finally, he’s playing well. Ceballos has been a source of immense frustration this season and while Willock’s form at stages of the campaign may not have warranted his Premier League inclusion, it’s tough to make a case for him being any worse than the Spaniard. He said he’d give him his chance in pre-season and that’s the least he deserves for embracing his loan challenge.

£20m is a lot of money, especially with considerable losses incoming, but if that figure keeps climbing then it becomes increasingly tough to turn the nose up at.