Arsenal: Joe Willock subject of £25m transfer agreement
By Adam Schultz
Newcastle Agree £25m Deal to Sign Joe Willock From Arsenal
The question remains, does Willock have a future at the Emirates?
Newcastle have made it abundantly clear they want Willock back. So much so that it’s been reported the Magpies are willing to part with £22m to take Willock back to Tyneside on a permanent deal.
That has been countered (added to?) by 90min, who report that a £25m deal has been agreed by the Magpies to sign the midfielder, with all that is left to confirm the move being convincing Willock that his future lies on Tyneside.
Word was that Newcastle proposed a loan in the first round of negotiations, but with their entire budget being spent on one player, they will instead make up their two loan spots for the season elsewhere. They are committing to the player wholeheartedly.
These offers – which one is accurate remains to be seen but the similarities in fees and growing outlets reporting it hint towards this being the end – from the Magpies will certainly have Arsenal and Arteta in deep thought. That’s their valuation, after all.
Does the club give the green light to let him go or will it be rejected as Arsenal’s midfield options are frightfully slim and Willock is the only player who could potentially fill in at No. 10 and offer, and this is crucial, goals from midfield. They may decide to wait until another goalscoring option in the middle of the pitch, whether a No. 8 or No. 10 can be secured.
Should the Gunners agree then it would provide a richly desired cash injection to then go and pursue its transfer targets. Yet, we do not want another Serge Gnabry situation, do we? Sold for a small fee and then look at the type of player the German winger has become. A reliable starter for Bayern Munich and a genuine star, something the Gunners could do with right now. Risks must be taken, though.
With the ever changing landscape that is football, the rumoured offers from Newcastle might be too vital to refuse. Arsenal need money. That’s the bottom line.
Another Hale End product has seen his value increased after a string of great performances. This is the true success of the academy. Could Willock be on his way to Tyneside permanently? It certainly feels that way.