Arsenal set for Joe Willock bid from Newcastle

Newcastle Bid for Joe Willock Has to be Substantial

As with all clubs throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the Magpies’ finances have been decimated and in order for owner Mike Ashley to fund the signings that Bruce wants to make his side a top 10 outfit he will need to take an interest-free loan or borrow from a bank.

Arsenal’s viewpoint has to be one of strength.

At Willock’s age, his profile, his homegrown status and his unquestionable talent that is being unlocked with regular minutes, £20m is far too low. He is worth more. The ‘English tax’ alone suggests so.

With the likes of Eddie Nketiah hoping to garner £10m-£15m despite not playing this season, then Willock’s asking price has to be higher. Negotiations won’t be ‘simple or straightforward’, though, and may require the midfielder requesting a move away, something he is said to be willing to do.

If we’re being honest, Willock can do better than Newcastle. No disrespect to them, but he can. As of yet there has been no concrete mentions of other clubs throwing their hat in the ring but it won’t be surprising if they do, which will kindly drum up his asking price.

As for keeping him, there are questions over whether such immense form can be sustained. That it surely can’t. If trying to piece together how Willock can be scoring the amount of goals he is at Newcastle and not at Arsenal, the answer is very simple: Arsenal don’t create as many chances.

Painful as it is to say, it’s true. If there is a way for the Gunners – there has to be – to become a more potent attacking side then with more chances falling to those who know how to take them, Willock would suit. Systematically it’s more doubtful that Willock will work as part of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1, and for all his ability the team structure can’t be moulded just for him.

Is there space in the squad for Willock with a midfield exodus on the cards? Absolutely. Seeing a Hale Ender blossom as he has can’t be easily overlooked. It’s uncertain whether Newcastle can come close to £30m, for example, but that is surely the bare minimum Willock can go for. He just can’t stop scoring, working hard and doing it all with a smile on his face.

Including a buy-back clause in any deal, or first refusal, is mooted, but is something that is not commonplace in English football. Players are less keen as it restricts their freedom further down the line, while from the club’s point of view it’s an insurance policy.

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