Newcastle United have registered their interest in signing Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock on a permanent deal this summer.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a fine loan spell with the Magpies, notching eight goals in 14 Premier League appearances at Newcastle as he won the Premier League player of the month award for May, having scored seven goals in seven games.
Newcastle have registered their interest with Arsenal, according to the Chronicle, but the Gunners are in no rush to make a decision regarding Willock.
The report cites that sources in north London sense United may need to splash out £30million in order to prise the Hale End graduate away from the Gunners although "there is a deal to be done".
Mikel Arteta is set for a busy transfer window this summer and the Spaniard may wait to see who he can bring to the Emirates before deciding Willock's fate.
As per Orbinho, Arsenal's other midfielders' goal records pale in comparison with Willock, who managed to find the back of the net eight times last term in the Premier League - two more than Emile Smith Rowe (2), Martin Odegaard (1), Mohamed Elneny (1), Granit Xhaka (1), Willian (1), Thomas Partey (0) and Dani Ceballos (0) combined.
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has made no secret of his desire to bring Willock back to the Magpies next season.
"Watching him play you can see a young player enjoying himself and enjoying the freedom that we've given to him, the licence to run forward", he said regarding Willock's future.
"He's given us something which we certainly didn't have before.
"He's a very very good player. So I've said now for three or four weeks, we'd love to bring him back.
"He's Arsenal's player of course but let's hope we can test their resolve."
However, the 21-year-old is now due back to north London with his temporary contract over, but he did not give much away on his future when quizzed about it recently.
He said: "We’ll see what the future holds.
"I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to play for this wonderful club and I’m happy it’s gone so well."
