The future of Joe Willock remains in question as Arsenal and Newcastle struggle to agree on a fee for the midfielder.
Willock endeared himself to the St James Park faithful last term, when he spent the second half of the season on loan with Steve Bruce's side.
As loan spells go, few in recent memory have fared better than Willock's, with the Gunners academy graduate breaking Premier League records in a Newcastle shirt, becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history to score in seven successive matches.
As a result, Newcastle have spent the summer trying to muster up the required funds to bring Willock back to the club on a permanent basis, but he has spent his pre-season at parent club Arsenal.
Where will Willock play his football next season? Have your say here.
Speaking on Thursday, ahead of his side's kickoff against Brentford on Friday night, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta issued an update on the future of the youngster.
The Arsenal manager said: "The situation is that he is our player and we hold some conversations because it’s not only about what we want to do but the player's interest.
"What he’s done is put him in a really strong position where he can choose what his future will look like."
When pressed on whether Willock will still be an Arsenal player come the end of the transfer window, he simply responded: "I don't know, I prefer not to answer that."
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has made no secret of his desire to sign Willock on a permanent basis, explaining to Sky Sports last month: "You have to ask Arsenal [about the deal], it's their decision and it's the player's decision.
"Of course we want him back, he did great with us and gives us another dimension in midfield that we haven't got. We'll keep bashing away at it."
Arsenal were thought to be holding out for £25m for the midfielder, Newcastle have since matched that valuation but are now struggling to agree personal terms with the midfielder.
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