Leeds already have several players who know each other well.
Lukas Nmecha and Sebastiaan Bornauw played together at Wolfsburg before moving to Elland Road during the summer of 2025 – sharing a pitch on 36 occasions.
Leeds also have Jack Harrison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who spent time at Everton together, while Daniel Farke has a strong Welsh contingent as well in Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Dan James and Karl Darlow.
Now, the 49ers could reunite Sean Longstaff with an old teammate as Leeds show interest in Joe Willock.
What Sean Longstaff has previously said about Joe Willock as Leeds United monitor Newcastle star
A story from iNews now states that Leeds are considering a move for Willock as he struggles for action at Newcastle, where he has made just two Premier League starts so far this season.
Do Leeds even NEED signings after enjoying success with a 3-5-2 formation?
We speak about what is possible (privately) but it’s not my job to speak in public about it or judge it in any way. I deal with what I’ve got. Of course I want the best possible squad, the best possible players and to improve the players as much as possible, but I don’t own the club
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If a deal materialises, it would see the Londoner reunite with Longstaff – who he made 82 appearances alongside at Newcastle.
The Leeds No.8 is a huge fan of Willock, revealing his admiration for the Arsenal academy graduate when appearing on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker back in October 2024.
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Longstaff said: “I think probably the most underrated one (of every Newcastle midfielder) is Joe Willock. I think when he’s fit, he’s so vital to us. The way he carries the ball, he’s so athletic. He doesn’t think too much in terms of…he’s always willing to take risks and try things, which I think makes him so good.”
Leeds United told they must submit a “proper offer” to take Joe Willock from Newcastle
Despite receiving just two Premier League starts from Eddie Howe this season, Willock still seems like a valued figure at Newcastle.
Respected journalist Craig Hope has now backed up the story from iNews when mentioning interest from Leeds in the 26-year-old, but warned the 49ers that Newcastle have no plans to sell him on the cheap.
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke’s plans.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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He said: “Joe Willock will only go out if a viable, realistic, fair offer comes in. Newcastle aren’t going to sell a player who’s contributing at first-team level at the moment, albeit more so from the bench. If a Crystal Palace, Leeds (or) whoever it may be thinks they can come in and steal him for five or ten million pounds… it would take a proper offer for Willock to move this month, but that remains a possibility.”
The Daily Mail believe Leeds only have £25m to spend on signings this winter as the 49ers must consider PSR restrictions, which is the same amount Newcastle spent to sign Willock from Arsenal in August 2021.
The Newcastle No.28 still has 18 months remaining on his contract as well, so Newcastle would presumably want to recoup as much of that £25m fee as possible, posing a problem for Leeds.
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