Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock will be the target of a summer move by Newcastle United, Steve Bruce has confirmed. 

The Magpies boss expressed his admiration for the 21-year-old and confirmed his desire to sign him on a permanent deal during an interview with TalkSport.

Willock has been instrumental for Newcastle since his arrival from North London on the 1st February, scoring five goals in 11 appearances for the club from Tyneside

The young midfielder has helped to all but ensure Newcastle's survival hopes with some game-defining goals, such as the winner on his debut - a 3-2 victory against Southampton, a winner against West Ham United, an equaliser against Liverpool at Anfield and an equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking to Jim White and Simon Jordan, Bruce confirmed that “All of us would love to [make it permanent],” when asked about the possibility of signing Willock in the summer.

The quotes

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.”

It remains to be seen whether or not Mikel Arteta will be willing to let such a promising talent leave the club, especially considering Arsenal's lack of a goal threat from the midfield area. 

However, a fee in the region of £20m may be enough to tempt the Basque manager to part company with Willock as the Gunners look to overhaul their squad in the summer transfer window.

Nevertheless, Willock has registered 11 goals and four assists in 78 first team games for his parent club and any decision to move him on should not be taken lightly.

Despite Willock struggling to make an impact during the first half of the 2020/21 season with Arsenal, he is undoubtedly a talented youngster with a high ceiling.

If his performances in a black and white shirt can be replicated in a red and white shirt, then there may yet be a long-term future for the Hale End graduate at the Emirates

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