Newcastle have agreed a fee with Arsenal for the permanent signing of Joe Willock.
Joe Willock celebrating the match winning goal against Sheffield United last season.
The Athletic understands a fee in excess of £20 million has been agreed but personal terms still need to be finalised before completing his move to the Tyneside.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been Newcastle’s No 1 target throughout the transfer window and he could become Steve Bruce’s first signing this summer.
Joe Willock spent the second half of last season on loan at St James’ Park, scoring eight goals and seven in a row, making him as the first youngest player in premier league to ever do so and the second Newcastle player since Alan Shearer ,who achieved the feat back in 1996. His sudden rise helped the Magpies maintain their Premier League status but has been on the fringes during pre-season at Arsenal while Mikel Arteta assessed his options.
But, with opportunities set to be limited in north London, Willock is on course to leave the Emirate stadium and return to Newcastle, where he will be an almost guaranteed starter.
Toon boss, Steve Bruce, has made it no secret that he’d like to make Willock part of his squad again after a successful loan spell during the second half of last season
‘We’re still hopeful we can get our main target – I’ll try my utmost to make it happen. I’d love to make a signing before West Ham,’ he said.
‘We’re in dialogue with Arsenal, but we have to respect he’s their player. Until we can reach an agreement with Arsenal, and what they want, the rest is immaterial’.