Arsenal have agreed to sell academy graduate Joe Willock to Newcastle United for a hefty fee. Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has completed a temporary move to Aston Villa.
The Gunners have accepted a bid in the region of 20 million pounds plus add-ons from Newcastle United for Joe Willock – The Athletic reports.
The midfielder spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Newcastle, where he scored eight goals in 14 appearances. The 21-year-old netted important goals against Tottenham and Liverpool, which proved key to Newcastle’s survival in the end. Following his loan spell, the youngster was spoken highly of by Magpies boss Steve Bruce who hoped to bring him back to St James’ Park this summer.
The midfielder is expected to undergo a medical and negotiate personal terms before being announced as United’s first summer 2021 signing.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have agreed to send youngster Axel Tuanzebe on loan to Aston Villa for yet another season. Raphael Varane’s impending arrival would’ve pushed Tuanzebe further down the pecking order, and he has instead decided to spend the season out on loan at Villa, where he expects to be given more minutes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained Tuanzebe’s loan departure as necessary, following a year of injury troubles and Varane’s expected arrival.
Tuanzebe, who spent eighteen months on loan at Villa Park from January 2018 to June 2019, will return to the club for his third loan spell. Manchester United were able to tie the 23-year-old down to a new two-year contract – with the option to extend it further – before shipping him out to Birmingham.
