Newcastle ready to sell Joe Willock despite missing out on Patrick Zabi - Report

Last summer, it was reported that Eddie Howe wanted a pool of six midfielders to choose from at Newcastle United.

Right now, we have exactly that in Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Lewis Miley, Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock.

However, it sounds like at least one of those could leave this summer, opening up the possibility of player trading in this area of the pitch ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Willock's future is uncertain, while Tonali could leave should the right offer arrive for the Italian, who appears to favour Premier League stay over a return to Serie A at this stage.

Willock up for sale

The Athletic's Chris Waugh reports that Newcastle United are listening to offers for Joe Willock now the midfielder has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the club.

In his latest Q&A, Waugh reveals that Newcastle already have their sights set on a potential replacement and have 'closely monitored' a number of names.

He even claims that our bid to sign Patrick Zabi from Reims in January was planned with Willock's summer exit in mind, only for the 19-year-old to join Paris FC instead.

Joe Willock is entering the final year of his deal and Newcastle will listen to offers, with midfield replacements already being closely monitored (and had they been able to sign Patrick Zabi from Reims in January, he would have been the successor, though he is now heading to Paris FC).

As for Tonali, Waugh notes that there is still a 'decent possibility' that the former AC Milan star leaves, but insists that there are few clubs in world football capable of matching Newcastle's mammoth asking price for the Italian.

Squad roles not simple to fill 

This isn't the easiest position to fill, as anyone replacing the 26-year-old is likely to be slotting in as our sixth-choice midfielder.

With that in mind, it doesn't feel realistic that we replace Willock with recently linked names such as Monaco's Lamine Camara or highly-rated Frenchman Kevin Danois.

Any player arriving in that slot may need to be a youngster willing to wait their turn for gametime, or a more experienced utility man happy to fill in as and when they are required.