'I wouldn't be surprised': £25m Newcastle United midfielder linked with move back to London this summer

Newcastle United could look to move one or two first-team players on this summer, with Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock two potential casualties of the summer trading period.

As we've said already, letting both Longstaff and Willock go seems highly unlikely as the Magpies still need some backup in the midfield department, and both players will count as homegrown for the UEFA box ticking exercise we'll be subject to next season for playing in Europe.

We expect we can probably get more money for Joe Willock than Sean Longstaff, but we're not sure how much more and how it works in terms of PSR, whether Willock is still subject to amortisation or not, knowing that Sean Longstaff will be seen as a pure profit sale.

There is interest in Sean Longstaff from both Everton and Leeds, but rumours are starting to hot up about interest in Joe Willock too.

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Mick Brown has opted to speak sense about Newcastle this week

Our favourite 'insider', Mick Brown, has been speaking about Willock in his latest post for Football Insider, but this story actually feels plausible. The fact that it comes from Mick Brown does make us dubious, but there have been rumblings elsewhere about Joe Willock to Crystal Palace, so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt here.

“Crystal Palace are going to explore a deal for Joe Willock.

“Palace always do their due diligence and have had scouts watching him this season when they can.

“They want to strengthen their squad and back the manager because they’ve been terrific this season and might end up as FA Cup winners.

“Willick (sic) isn’t going to get in the Newcastle team and I hear he’s one they’d be willing to let go.

“It would have to be the right money for the club as well, of course.

“He’s been a reliable player for Newcastle, he always comes into the team and does his job, but he’s not a starter in that midfield and he’ll want to be playing regular football.

“He works hard, brings a lot of drive and energy to the team which would suit Palace, and he’s not the type of player you have to carry through games.

“He ticks a lot of boxes for Crystal Palace and deserves to be playing regular first-team football.

“So I wouldn’t be surprised to see that move happen, I think it would be a good one for all parties.”

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Joe Willock to Crystal Palace could be a good move

We know it's hypocritical to hammer the bloke's content when it's anti-Newcastle and then run with it when it could benefit Newcastle, but again, this is a lot more plausible than some of the tripe he has said about Newcastle recently.

Joe Willock would be an excellent signing for Crystal Palace, and if he stays fit, he could go on to hit that potential he's failed to reach at Newcastle.

If it comes off, it could be a nice bit of business for the Magpies, and who knows, selling both him and Longstaff could generate enough money to buy another homegrown replacement, solving all our issues. Maybe even a swap deal for Eberechi Eze?