Steve Bruce has confirmed that Newcastle United would love to sign Joe Willock on a permanent transfer this summer.
However, the Magpies boss respects the fact that he is Arsenal's player and that the Gunners will have a decision to make over his future.
Willock has been in superb form for the Magpies since leaving Arsenal on loan in the January transfer window in search of game time, with the 21-year-old scoring goals against Southampton, Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool and Leicester City.
His five goals have helped Newcastle climb away from trouble in the Premier League, with the Arsenal loanee scoring more top flight goals during his loan spell in the north east than any of his Gunners' team-mates in the same time.
And Bruce has made no secret of the fact that Newcastle would like to sign Willock on a permanent basis, should the opportunity arise this summer.
“All of us would love to [make it permanent],” Bruce told talkSPORT.
“He’s 21, a midfield player and he’s got five goals since the turn of the year, so of course we want him – but we have to respect that he’s Arsenal’s player.
“I’m sure Arsenal will have big discussions this summer, but if there’s a possibility that we can bring him back we’d love to do it.”
Should Arsenal choose to sell Willock, they would be likely to look for a sizeable fee given his age and his form for the Magpies this season.
However, with Dani Ceballos likely to return to Real Madrid this summer and uncertainty over the future of Martin Odegaard, who is also currently at Arsenal on loan, Mikel Arteta could turn to Willock next season after his superb recent form.
