NEWCASTLE SET TO SNATCH PALACE SUPERSTAR IN SENSATIONAL JANUARY HIJACK – BUT ONLY IF THESE TWO SHOCK CONDITIONS ARE MET! YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THEY ARE!
With December on the horizon and the January transfer window fast approaching, transfer speculation is beginning to gather pace.
AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit has already been linked with a potential move to St James’ Park, and now another story has emerged suggesting that a current Newcastle United midfielder could be on his way out.
In his latest exclusive for The Telegraph, Luke Edwards reveals that Joe Willock may be set for a January exit following interest from Crystal Palace.
Before Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat in Marseille last night – a game in which Willock impressed during the first half after being given a rare start – the former Arsenal man had slipped to sixth choice in Eddie Howe’s midfield hierarchy.
With only 18 months left on his contract, Palace are thought to have been encouraged that a move in January might be feasible, particularly as Jacob Ramsey’s £40m arrival from Aston Villa in the summer has added further competition in midfield.
According to Edwards, Newcastle would look to recoup a fee close to the £21m they originally paid if they are to part with Willock.
However, any deal is expected to depend on the club securing a suitable replacement in the upcoming window.
At 26, Willock may also find the idea of returning to London appealing, especially if he continues to struggle for consistent minutes under Howe and sees limited prospects of a contract extension, with his current deal set to enter its final year at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Given that contract situation, Newcastle may feel that this could be the right moment to cash in, potentially their last realistic opportunity to secure a strong fee for the midfielder.
