Joe Willock exit set for green light as Leeds United ready January transfer
Joe Willock is facing an uncertain future beyond January at Newcastle United.
Leeds have had a long-standing interest in Willock, but nothing materialised in the summer following promotion to the Premier League.
That didn’t stop any business from St James’ Park, though, with Sean Longstaff arriving as one of the marquee summer signings for Leeds.
Daniel Farke has transformed the fortunes of his squad in recent weeks, and he could be backed in the January window as a result.
Is Willock still an option?
Newcastle set to agree Willock exit at St James’ Park
Leeds United remain interested in Willock going into 2026.
After Leeds failed to sign Harry Wilson in the summer, Farke remains interested in that creative mould of attacker for the second half of the season.
Mark Douglas has reported that the Whites, as well as Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, are looking into a mid-season deal for Eddie Howe’s man.
It is said that Newcastle would allow Willock to leave if the fee is right.
Joe Willock by the numbers
It hasn’t exactly been a season to remember for Willock so far.
The attacker has only played 13 times this season for 463 minutes, with three of those appearances in the Champions League so far.
Despite those numbers, he has yet to score.
| Joe Willock | 2025/26 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
With Farke wanting a new playmaker, Willock only delivering one assist in the EFL Cup clearly isn’t good enough and doesn’t fill anyone with any hope.
Wilson wasn’t great at Fulham last season before Leeds wanted to sign him, but he has set Craven Cottage and the Premier League alight since that happened.
So, it is clear that Leeds could hand Willock a similar chance to prove himself even further, which could be key to unlocking him and those around him to push for survival.
Only one day into the window, and the links are starting like wildfire. Let’s just hope that Adam Underwood and the 49ers Enterprises can deliver.
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