Newcastle United remain hopeful of signing Joe Willock, with reports now claiming he has been offered to Leicester City.
According to football.london, Arsenal want to sign James Maddison from the Foxes.
But the English midfielder is going to be expensive.
The Gunners seemingly can’t afford to just offer straight cash and will supposedly look to offer one of four stars and a fee.
Those players are Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah.
That said, Leicester supposedly don’t have interest in any of the quartet.
The Foxes are said to want straight cash for Maddison, and value their maestro at £60 million.
Arsenal willing to lose Willock?
Mikel Arteta has previously said that Willock is in his plans for the coming season.
But if the Gunners are willing to use him as makeweight to sign other players, that may suggest he isn’t all that central to Arteta’s plans after all.
It perhaps suggests there is still a glimmer of hope for Newcastle.
But the club cannot continue to wait for Arsenal with the new season now right around the corner.
Newcastle need a definitive answer in the next day or two.
Heading into that opening game against West Ham United without a new signing would be inexcusable.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
