Newcastle could strike Crystal Palace deal as Eagles target £25m man - Report

All eyes are on Newcastle's push for a top-five finish for now, but attentions will soon turn to what promises to be a fascinating few months in the transfer market up and down the Premier League.

June's mini-window will be dominated by clubs in need of PSR-driven deals and those looking to capitalise, while July and August are always busy months where transfer activity always tends to pick up.

Newcastle will finally be active on the incomings front, with a goalkeeper, centre-back, right winger and striker high on our wanted list, but it's also vital we become better sellers, which leads us on nicely to the latest outgoing link.

Palace eyeing Newcastle midfielder?

Talk around Joe Willock's long-term future on Tyneside has reared its head in recent weeks and it's believed Crystal Palace are taking a close look.

The Chronicle report that Palace's recruitment team have 'recommended Willock' to Eagles chief Steve Parish, feeling there is a deal there to be done for the 25-year-old.

Willock is approaching the final two years of his contract at St James' Park and has endured a tough season so far, battling fitness issues and a lack of form that's seen him go 30 league games without a goal and struggle for starts prior to Joelinton's recent injury.

Speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, The Chronicle's Andrew Musgrove discussed Palace's growing interest in Willock as he approaches a 'now or never' period of his Newcastle career:

"I've been told that transfer chiefs at Crystal Palace have recommended Willock to Steve Parish and that they think they can get him," Musgrove revealed. "I think that move would work out for them.

"But what I want more than anything - is it to work out here because Joe Willock is at the right age. We know he's got talent. We know he's got that ability.

"He's different to any one of those midfielders that he's battling a place for and with the need for a large squad next season, he'd be absolutely crucial. But at the moment, it feels like he's a bit of a passenger and he's being carried.”

Why Willock sale could make sense

Newcastle need to become better sellers and will require a squad of reliable players next season as we prepare to compete in the Premier League, Europe and in both domestic cup competitions.

It may seem harsh on Willock, who can still be a big part of our squad if he rediscovers his best form, yet we've seen very few glimpses of that over a stop-start 2025/26 for the ex-Arsenal talent.

Selling Willock would then leave us in need of a replacement, especially as we also lost fellow left-sided midfielder Elliot Anderson last summer, but a decent offer from Palace and opportunity to move back to London for Willock could be tempting for all parties.

You also wonder if we could negotiate a potential part-exchange should Palace up their rumoured interest, with Marc Guehi previously linked along with Eberechi Eze.