Newcastle United hope that Emile Smith Rowe’s new contract with Arsenal will aid their move for Joe Willock this summer.

Sky Sports report that Newcastle United have already made one approach to Arsenal over the availability of Joe Willock this summer, and they’re hoping Emile Smith Rowe’s new contract with the club will aid their pursuit.

Smith Rowe signed a new deal with the Gunners earlier this week, turning down interest from Aston Villa, who made two bids for him. Though a transfer was never a likely prospect, it would have increased Arsenal’s reliance on Willock if it happened.

Now that Mikel Arteta has Smith Rowe’s presence in next season’s squad guaranteed, it certainly does seem a little more likely Willock could leave. But it’s also not impossible the two players could feature in the same team, with Willock playing a deeper role.

Then there’s the possibility that Smith Rowe could end up playing out on the left more often than not, leaving a gap in the middle for Willock.

Essentially, Arsenal are still going to have a tough decision to make on Willock regardless of Smith Rowe’s decision, and even that’s only if Newcastle make a serious offer.

Until then, it only makes sense to hold onto the midfielder. Arsenal aren’t just going to give him away.