According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United wanted to land Ainsley Maitland-Niles before switching their interest over to Joe Willock.
It’s claimed that the Magpies are hoping for a midfield signing on deadline day, with Willock now thought to be a prime target.
Newcastle are allegedly ‘pushing’ Arsenal to loan them Willock until the end of the season, but they’re running out of time to get a deal done.
Intriguingly though, the report states that Newcastle had actually enquired about signing Arsenal’s Maitland-Niles instead.
However, Southampton are favourites to land Maitland-Niles, meaning Newcastle have now turned their attention to Willock.
Maitland-Niles is understandably frustrated with his role at Arsenal, receiving a lack of first-team football despite turning down a summer exit.
As for Willock, the 21-year-old has started just two Premier League games despite racking up three goals and three assists in just five Europa League outings.
He needs playing time away from Arsenal in order to prove that he has a future with the Gunners, and that could come with Newcastle on the transfer window’s final day.
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