Do Arsenal have a buyback clause for Joe Willock? Many Newcastle fans have been asking nervously as their No.28 shines under Eddie Howe.
The 23-year-old joined Newcastle in a £25m deal from Arsenal back in August 2021 after he enjoyed a stunning loan spell on Tyneside during the 2020/21 campaign, scoring eight Premier League goals in 14 appearances.
Willock has gone from strength to strength under Howe this season as Newcastle sit third in the Premier League, leaving many to ask if Arsenal have an option to buy their Hale End graduate back.
So, do Arsenal have a buyback clause for Willock? Let’s take a look…
Do Arsenal have a buyback clause for Joe Willock?
Well, the short answer is no.
Arsenal did negotiate a clause in their £25m agreement with Newcastle, but it was only a sell-on clause rather than a buyback option.
That has been reported by both Simon Collings of the Evening Standard and also by Football London.
Newcastle fans will surely be breathing a huge sigh of relief at that news.
Willock has arguably become one of the most effective midfielders in the Premier League this season, combining incredible athleticism with clean end product to register nine goal involvements in 31 Premier League outings.
At the age of just 23, his potential to become even better is frightening.
An England call-up surely isn’t far away for Willock if he can maintain this level of performance.
Some Arsenal fans probably regret Mikel Arteta’s decision to sell the Londoner to Newcastle, although the Gunners can take comfort from the fact that Martin Ødegaard arrived for just £30m in that same transfer window.
At the time, Newcastle’s £25m outlay on Willock seemed quite expensive.
Now – however – the midfield maestro is easily worth at least £50m as he becomes a key man at St James’ Park.
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