Crystal Palace are reported to be interested in a potential move for Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock in January.
The 26-year-old made a bright start to the Magpies when he joined the Magpies from Arsenal, but has now fallen down the pecking order in Eddie Howe’s side, which has cast doubt over his future.
According to the Telegraph, Newcastle are prepared to let Willock go as long as they aim to recoup the £21m they paid him.
The paper explains that Palace are eyeing Willock as a transfer target, while Newcastle could let him go as they look to change up their midfield by targeting Dutch sensation Keith Smit.
Will Keith Smit join Newcastle United with Joe Willock out?
Willock proved his quality at St James’s Park and is thought to be a useful addition at Selhurst Park.
Palace have made huge strides under manager Oliver Glasner, who won the FA Cup final last season and won the Community Shield in August this season.
It could be ideal for Willock to leave Newcastle to play under Glasner and get the chance to feature more regularly, but that seems more likely in this Palace side.
It was also recently reported that Newcastle are interested in Smit, which will obviously have a big impact on the club’s transfer plans this winter.
Still, it won’t necessarily be easy for NUFC to win the race for him, as other big names such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea also like the AZ Alkmaar youngster.
Some fans may not be too keen on letting a useful team player like Willock go, but with Palace needing £21m to sign him, it seems unlikely they will let him go anyway.
