Jacob Murphy, Joelinton react to Joe Willock’s message amid Newcastle exit links
Jacob Murphy and Joelinton are among those that have reacted to a new message from Newcastle teammate Joe Willock amid rumours of him potentially leaving the Tyneside club soon.
The Magpies are preparing to return to the Champions League next season after a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last term, and it promises to be a busy summer window at the club as a result.
Eddie Howe has moved to bring in Spanish youngster Antonio Cordero, but while the club’s business has been slow so far, it promises to ramp up now that the start of the new season is just six weeks away.
Willock is a fringe player that could make an exit soon, after he struggled to have much of an impact on their fortunes last term with just 11 starts made in the Premier League.
Former scout Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider in May that Crystal Palace are plotting a move for Willock this summer, and he has continues to be linked with a departure as the new season edges ever closer.
Willock posts training video amid exit rumours
Football Insider also revealed in May that Newcastle could look to sell Willock to balance the books this summer, and that may be needed even more now as the Magpies close in on signing Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.
The 25-year-old remains a Newcastle player for now though, and he took to Instagram on Monday (7 July) to post a new update of him in training prior to pre-season, with a caption saying: “Love every moment.”
Willock’s message was reacted to by a number of his Tyneside teammates, with Murphy, Joelinton, Sven Botman, William Osula and Lewis Miley all liking the post, while William Saliba, Ola Aina, Reiss Nelson and Jack Harrison also did the same.
Willock should leave Newcastle in search of consistent minutes
Football Insider verdict
Willock’s is now entering his fifth full season at St James’ Park, after an initial loan move from Arsenal was turned permanent in 2021, but his influence looks to have waned over the last few years.
He was once a shining light under Eddie Howe, as he went on an incredible scoring run towards the end of his first half-season at the club, but the Magpies’ desire to return to English football’s elite has meant he has somewhat fell by the wayside.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 143 | 18 | 8 |
At 25, he would be a stellar signing for a club vying to make it into Europe on a consistent basis, like Palace, and would surely be a starter in the majority of lower Premier League sides if he was to leave.
It does, however, seem unlikely that Howe would let go of two of his fringe midfielders without any replacements seemingly lined up, and so Sean Longstaff’s impending Leeds United switch could mean that Willock sticks around on Tyneside for at least another year.