It would be safe to say that Rio Ferdinand is not the most popular pundit among Newcastle United fans.
The former Manchester United captain was subject to a backlash earlier this year after telling unhappy fans to 'round money up' between them and buy the club off Mike Ashley.
This followed a defence of the controversial Toon owner on BT Sport in 2019, where Ferdinand quoted inaccurate figures about Newcastle and claimed supporters should 'thank' the Fraser Group magnate.
However, the 42-year-old's take on United's potential deal to re-sign Willock and his praise for the midfielder is an opinion that fans will find hard to disagree with.
Willock enjoyed an incredible half-season loan spell at St James' Park last term, netting eight times and matching Alan Shearer's record for scoring in seven consecutive Premier League matches.
Newcastle have agreed a permanent deal to sign the 21-year-old, but work still needs to be done to agree personal terms while a medical has also been scheduled.
United fans will be encouraged by the willingness to pay a fee in excess of £20m, rather than attempt to broker a second loan deal.
The money would provide a welcome transfer boost for Mikel Arteta, but Ferdinand can not understand why the Gunners would sanction a permanent exit.
Ferdinand told Vibe with Five: "I don't know how you've let Willock go. The guy scores goals from midfield.
"I really like Willock. I don't understand. Newcastle have done unbelievably well to get him. I think he's a really good talent. He's someone who scores goals, expects to score, good mover, moves off the ball really well, makes good runs into the box...
"I know Arteta's trying to build something there and he's setting the foundations in place but they're just in a bit of no man's land at the moment. They're not a threat to nobody.
"You don't consider them a real threat at all and it's just not like the Arsenal that I grew up playing against: the Vieras, the Henrys, the Bergkamps, the Keowns, the Adams', Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole...it's just a very different time now at Arsenal. It's sad to see because I really like Arsenal."
