Ahead of next season’s European football campaign, regardless of what competition Newcastle do end up playing in, Newcastle are gonna need the strongest squad of players it’s perhaps ever had in order to compete.

Outside the current starting XI, a lot of the squad players will find themselves scrapping for minutes and opportunities to shine on the big stage.

But in the case of one player, there’s a chance that we may even consider selling him this summer if a buyer emerges, with his recent form dipping and his contract expiring in two years time.

Joe Willock at risk?

Speculation has begun to emerge surrounding the future of Joe Willock at Newcastle United.

Writing for The Athletic, Chris Waugh has posed the idea that the club could even look to sell the former Arsenal star if it suits the club.

Waugh said: ‘With only two years left on his deal, Newcastle may at least consider offers for Willock.’

‘At 25, he is a relatively attractive option for mid-table, lower-half Premier League clubs and PSR-wise, Newcastle could do with shrewdly trading outwards as well as inwards.’

A welcome member of the squad last season, the return of Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley from suspension and injury respectively has pushed Willock out of the top three places in the midfield hierarchy.

But having only started 10 league matches this season, and providing fewer and fewer goals and assists off the bench like we know he can, it’s looking unlikely that an injury-prone Willock will reassert himself into our midfield any time soon.

The right time to sell?

Even with European football on the horizon, it’s unlikely that Eddie Howe will deviate too much from the reliable trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali as the beating heart of his team.

And with Lewis Miley needing minutes next season, there’s going to be few opportunities for both Willock and compatriot Sean Longstaff to shine.

Willock is the next in line in that left-sided midfield role when Joelinton misses out, but he’s struggled to stay fit and isn’t making enough of an impact when he is. At his best he offers us something different and a great squad option, but we haven’t seen nearly enough of that across 2024/25.

Having paid Arsenal £25m for Willock’s services back in 2021, we may have an opportunity to recoup a half-decent fee and recruit a slightly more reliable alternative.

It’s important to note that Willock is not certain to leave the club in the summer, or even in the next year, but as he approaches the end of his current contract, and the unenviable task of trying to break into our current midfield, it would make some sense to replace him should a decent offer arrive?