Arsenal: 7 pre-season players in line for transfer departures

4. Joe Willock – Midfielder

Interested clubs: Newcastle

Of all the options available to Arsenal involving Joe Willock, sending him out on a dry season-long loan is indisputably the worst one of all.

Despite a magnificent loan spell with Newcastle, it’s the Magpies who are the only side interested in his signature. The sticking point to that is that have no money. At least nowhere close to what is being demanded.

With speculation heightening that he will be loaned out to Steve Bruce’s side, the sense of logic appears lost. Unless he goes out and bags 25 goals from midfield next season then his value will not increase any more than it is now. And without being too harsh, that simply will not happen.

There are two decisions to make: sell him or find a way of incorporating him into the side. Sending him out on loan with a contract extension only has the possibility of lowering his valuation. There is no clear upside unless he miraculously maintains his form from last season.

Willock is someone who can be of use to Arsenal next season if he stays, but it won’t be much more than the occasional outing and injury cover. A loan does nothing but benefit Newcastle.