Premier League club eyeing raid on Newcastle United for £21m midfielder whose form has dropped off a cliff
If this season has proven anything so far, it's that even after bringing in six new players this summer, Newcastle United are still a long way off being a complete squad.
All it takes is a couple of injuries, and our starting lineup can look decidedly weaker, and when it comes to our midfield, that's probably the case more than anywhere else.
Joelinton was walking a suspension tightrope last night, and Eddie Howe opted not to risk him, instead playing Joe Willock.
That caused a mini meltdown from us as Willock has not been anywhere near the level we expect from him for a long time, and while last night was one of his better games, we still feel it's time to move on from Willock and bring in someone else.
Crystal Palace have reignited their interest in Joe Willock
We may get our wish with The Telegraph reporting that Crystal Palace are contemplating a January raid for the former Arsenal man, who moved to Newcastle for £21 million, with the report suggesting that the Magpies would be looking for a similar amount to let him leave.
Newcastle would be looking to sign young Dutch sensation Kees Smit to replace Willock, so it would be a case of one out and one in.
Kees Smit has been on Newcastle's radar for a while, and the 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder is attracting interest from several clubs. Newcastle know they will have to move fast, and recent reports have suggested that they will move in January in a bid to beat other clubs to the punch, with Newcastle expecting most other clubs will be looking to raid Alkmaar in the summer.
We wouldn't expect Kees Smit to be a better option than Joe Willock immediately, but long-term, he has much greater potential
It would probably feel very much a like-for-like swap initially in terms of how much Smit would bring to Newcastle in the short term. We can't imagine the youngster would come to the Premier League and hit the ground running in the same fashion as he has in the Eredivisie.
However, next season, provided he can live up to the promise he's currently showing, we expect he'll be ahead of where Willock is right now, so it's more of a long-term strategy.
Newcastle have been led to believe that Smit is open to a move to Newcastle in January, especially if promises are made around first-team chances.
Crystal Palace have been linked with Willock in the past, but no move happened, so we'll have to wait and see how much truth there is in this one, but the Kees Smit rumours aren't going anywhere.
