According to the Athletic, Arsenal are yet to receive an offer for Newcastle United target Joe Willock.
The midfielder is arguably the Magpies’ number one target this summer.
Willock had an incredible loan spell at St James’ Park, scoring eight goals in 14 games.
He ended the season in scintillating form, increasing the need for Steve Bruce to sign him permanently.
Bruce has never hidden his desire to bring Willock back to the club.
Bruce told the Telegraph in April: “He’s a young lad and I’d love to keep him here and we will have some big conversations with Arsenal.”
It was reported back then that Arsenal would entertain offers in the region of £20million.
Of course, he went on to score another five goals after those comments from Bruce. There’s every chance the asking price has gone up.
Allan Saint-Maximin even stated in an interview with Sky Sports that the club must bring Willock back.
“We have to buy more players like Joe Willock, he can be really great for the team and for myself,” Saint-Maximin said in May.
But regardless, Newcastle are yet to even test the waters.
No offer to bring Joe Willock back to Newcastle yet
It had been reported by the Chronicle earlier in the month that the club are confident they can bring Willock back to the north east.
However, that confidence is yet to lead to an official bid.
The Athletic state that Arsenal plan to hold talks with Willock about his future, and will entertain ‘suitable’ offers for the 21-year-old.
But will Newcastle actually make a suitable offer?
It has been reported that the Magpies could offer cash plus Freddie Woodman, however that suddenly feels unlikely amid claims the Gunners want Aaron Ramsdale.
That means Newcastle will simply have to pay in cash if they want to bring Willock back.
Will Mike Ashley really sanction that kind of deal?
It feels like any movement on Willock, or anyone for that matter, will be delayed until there are takeover developments.
Arbitration is set to take place soon, which could give PCP Partners a route back to the table.
It has even been claimed that Ashley is confident the club will be sold next month.
But while the club remains in limbo, everyone else is trying to move forwards.
Clubs are signing players and appointing managers (except for Tottenham), while Newcastle still haven’t announced their retained list.
It was reported in the Chronicle that we might not see progress on Willock’s return until later in the summer. But is that a dangerous game?
Willock’s end of season form is no secret. Everyone saw what we saw. And if Newcastle aren’t going to be pro-active and bring him back as soon as possible, perhaps someone else will.
As always, Newcastle’s dithering threatens to hold us back. It might not on this occasion, but we continue to take that risk.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
