Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has admitted he 'likes' Joe Willock but concedes the Arsenal midfielder - currently on loan at Newcastle United - is out of his reach.
Warnock, speaking to reporters about his plans for the summer transfer window, believes that Willock will cost at least £20 million this summer after impressing on loan at St James' Park.
Speaking about the summer, Warnock told Teesside Live: "We’re talking to one loan target in particular at the moment, that we’re hoping we can get in.
"He’s at a Premier League club, and we’ve liked him ever since I’ve been at the club really. We’ll try and see if we can talk him into coming up here. There’s not a lot like that out there though.
"The real top ones of the 19 or 20-year-olds, they’re probably going to get higher up than us. I don’t mean that disrespectfully, but clubs in the Premier League will want them.
"Look at (Joe) Willock at Newcastle – I like him, but he’s probably going to go for about £20m if they get him.
"The top ones are beyond us, so we have to look a little bit below or for someone we can nurture. We think we can with this lad, and I’m still optimistic. I think I’m talking to his dad later this week."
Willock has netted three goals in nine games since moving to Tyneside and has been praised for his energy and tidiness on the ball.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been following his progress and seems unlikely to sanction a permanent exit from The Emirates unless a big fee is offered.
There has been talk of Willock returning to Newcastle on-loan next season, and head coach Steve Bruce has been open with his desire to keep the midfielder.
