Arsenal: Joe Willock close to shock Newcastle loan transfer

Arsenal are close to signing off on another summer departure, albeit not in the manner supporters would have liked. Indeed, Newcastle are closing in on the loan signing of Joe Willock. Not a permanent deal, a loan.

What will happen with Joe Willock has been among the main talking points this window. An incomprehensibly superb six-month spell with the Magpies starting back in January completely turned his future on its head with the Premier League taking note of the record-breaking 21-year-old.

Setting out their stall at around £20m when he notched his first few goals, Willock inadvertently urged Arsenal to jump up their valuation with a stunning seven consecutive top-flight goals for Newcastle.

Never before has his stock nor his value been higher.

Arsenal: Joe Willock close to shock Newcastle loan transfer as Mikel Arteta eyes departures in summer transfer window

With the Gunners urgently needing midfielders this window to make up for the departure of Matteo Guendouzi and expected exits for Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira, as well as, quite obviously, raising the quality within that department, questions marks arise.

It grew increasingly likely that Arteta would hold on to Willock despite initial expectations of a sale, perhaps largely in part to the lack of activity this summer. Were Willock to leave along with the aforementioned trio, Arsenal would be left to slug it out with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny next season. Oh and both of those are leaving for AFCON in the winter.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is no longer under consideration but given the most recent developments, who is to say he won’t be?

As per The Telegraph, Newcastle are close to agreeing a deal to bring the midfielder back to Tyneside on what is an ‘initial’ loan deal. Steve Bruce’s side have been ‘quietly confident’ of securing a deal in some capacity all window, with the manager’s strong relationship with Willock key to that.

The Hale Ender found his groove at St James’ Park in a system that suited him perfectly. Someone whose best trait is pure and simple running needs to have that platform to express himself. In Newcastle’s system with two fellow central midfielders sitting deeper and seeing far less of the ball than at Arsenal, Willock could gallop at length and pace in counter-attacks and bide his time to make those lethal late penalty box runs.

Yet even with a system that catered to his skillset, what he achieved was mightily impressive.

There is some tempering to add, though. While the report leads with ‘Newcastle close to agreeing deal for Joe Willock to return to club on loan’, it’s also mentioned that there is work to be done, so the Telegraph may have jumped the gun somewhat.

Continued…

Mikel Arteta Has Final Say on Arsenal Loaning Joe Willock

Newcastle may be classed as ‘close’ but it’s added that Arsenal and Arteta are yet to give their total satisfaction.

On Tuesday the boss said:

"“He trained yesterday really well but we didn’t want to risk him. Joe is part of our plans, he’s our player and in the time that he is here we will try to make the most out of him.”"

Carefully worded, as usual.

It’s stated that the Magpies are allowing Arsenal time to mull over their decision and that Arteta is yet to give the green light. Work ‘still needs to be done’, with Bruce’s side failing in their short-lived efforts to secure a permanent deal due to the minuscule budget they have to operate in.

However, the Telegraph don’t stick their neck out without reason and it’s added that Arteta broadly agrees with the idea that Willock is best served playing regular football elsewhere than fleetingly for Arsenal – which the player and his advisors feel is right.

With two years left on his contract, he will be extended before any temporary move. Thankfully.

The surprise is in it being another loan deal. If a club met Arsenal’s valuation then there would be no shock in seeing Willock leave, yet to agree a season-long loan move – which while not specified is still hinted to be the case – does nothing for the bank balance, homegrown quota or volume of bodies for the manager to choose from.

Lokonga will join but there has to be some serious confidence of getting other players through the Emirates doors or else central midfield is looking bleak. Another 30 odd games for Elneny is an eventuality nobody wants.

If Willock pens another two/three-year extension and has a storming season over on Tyneside then it will work out for Arsenal, but only on the condition that they are certain of bringing in quality in that department. Equally, an option to recall Willock in January should be included for fears of injury and to supplement the African pair jetting off to AFCON.

This is evidently another case of Arsenal struggling for buyers. A worryingly growing trend.

Did he actually have a groin problem against Hibernian?