Arsenal youngster Joe Willock could return to Newcastle United in a player plus cash deal that would see goalkeeper Freddie Woodman head in the other direction.
Joe Willock May Leave Arsenal for Tyneside With Woodman Heading Other Way
Midfielder Could Swap North London for the North East
After impressing on a six-month loan spell at St. James’ Park, where he scored seven goals in seven games, a permanent move to Tyneside could be on the cards for Willock, per the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
Having been frustrated by a lack of minutes under Mikel Arteta, where he featured sporadically, Willock was given permission to go out on loan for the second half of the 2020/21 campaign. It proved to be a good decision too, as the 21-year-old scored in seven successive matches to steer Steve Bruce’s side clear of a relegation scrap.
Such impressive goalscoring form will have undoubtedly caught Arteta’s attention, with the Gunners lacking a consistent creative threat for much of last season. As a result, the Spaniard may be keen to reward Willock with an elevated squad role for the upcoming season but, given the Gunners’ lack of European football, it is hard to see where he slots in ahead of the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Woodman a Key Factor in Any Joe Willock Deal
Another factor that could increase the likelihood of a deal is Arsenal‘s desire for a homegrown goalkeeper in their squad. Woodman excelled whilst on loan himself last season, helping Swansea City to the Championship play-0ff final with a string of excellent performances.
After Maty Ryan returned to Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal are said to be keen to find a back-up for Bernd Leno. Given the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the club, as well as Willock’s status as an academy graduate, the Gunners are likely to want a sizeable fee for the young midfielder.
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