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Transfer news: Newcastle United will try to sign Joe Willock despite Arteta comments

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Image for Transfer news: Newcastle United will try to sign Joe Willock despite Arteta comments

Luke Edwards has revealed that Newcastle United are likely to try and sign Joe Willock on a permanent basis. 

What’s the latest Newcastle transfer news?

Writing on Twitter following yesterday’s win away at Fulham, The Daily Telegraph journalist relayed information he’d heard in regards to Willock’s future on Tyneside. Indeed, Edwards claimed Newcastle will make a move for the 21-year-old but did suggest he didn’t know just how seriously they would try.

What has Mikel Arteta said about Willock?

Indeed, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta did recently suggest the England U21 international, who surely has to go down as one of Newcastle’s best loan signings in modern history after scoring in seven straight games, still has a future in North London.

“For sure because he’s got a contract and that’s going to be here. That’s for sure,” said Arteta (via The Evening Standard).

“I am really happy that things have gone so well because of the potential that he has. I think it was great for him to go away and have a different experience.”

Despite his lack of involvement before being allowed to join Newcastle on loan, it seems Arsenal will not make it easy for the Magpies to sign Willock on a permanent basis and, considering he has a long-term contract in the capital, they are in a strong position to demand a sizeable fee.

How badly do Newcastle need to sign Willock?

Desperately.

The lack of dynamism in midfield has been lamented prior to his arrival and, having bagged eight times in fourteen games, Willock sits behind only Callum Wilson in terms of the team’s top scorers this season. Crucially, three of his last seven goals have been game-winning strikes too, with the player directly responsible for nine points in the last few games.

Even away from just his ability going forward, Willock has averaged the second-highest number of tackles (1.9 via WhoScored) in the squad, as well as the fifth-highest number of interceptions, proving he’s capable of making an impact in a defensive too.

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