Joe Willock enjoyed a superb second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Newcastle United from Arsenal.
The 21-year-old scored in all of the Magpies’ last seven games of the season, with the Gunners loanee exceeding all expectations during his short stint at St. James’ Park.
And according to Chronicle Live, Steve Bruce is desperate to bring Willock back to Tyneside and has informed club chiefs of his wishes, but Newcastle are yet to meet Arsenal’s £10million asking price.
In order to try and bring Willock’s price down, Newcastle could offer Freddie Woodman as part of a player-plus-cash deal.
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The report claims that Woodman has been on the Gunners’ radar for the past couple of years and with Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka ahead of him in Bruce‘s pecking order in the north east.
Arsenal are reportedly keen on adding an English goalkeeper to their home grown quota and will use the additional funds for Willock to boost their own transfer plans.
Willock, who won the Premier League Player of the Month for May for his fantastic goal return, has already issued his verdict on his future at Arsenal, in what is set to be a summer of speculation.
He told NUFC TV in May: “I want to say thank you for making me feel so welcome and thank you for greeting me with open arms.
“I hope you’re satisfied with what I’ve given for the club so far and hopefully there’s more to continue in the future. I’m not going to promise anything, but the conversation is going to be held.”
Bruce also spoke about his desire to bring the Arsenal star back for a second spell at the Tyneside-based club.
“Joe is a smashing lad and he has really enjoyed it up here,” Bruce said on Willock.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
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“To do what he’s done for me at 21 and in a team that was toiling a bit when he arrived in January I’m delighted for him. Joe is a smashing, smashing lad.
“It is so refreshing when you hear players say, ‘we don’t want to go to the north-east’, that he’s absolutely loved it. And so has his father.”