Joe Willock says he is open to staying at Newcastle United beyond his current loan spell after he fell in love with the Magpies.
He joined them from Arsenal in the last transfer window after he failed to appear in their first team regularly enough.
Although he was an important member of their team last season, Mikel Arteta preferred other midfield options to him in this campaign.
He has enjoyed his time in Steve Bruce’s relegation-threatened side since he has been there and says he is open to remaining with them.
The midfielder admits that he had never left Arsenal before and was worried about how he would adapt to a new environment.
But he has now settled in and has enjoyed the love and support that the fans are showering on him at the moment.
Willock, 21, said via Sun Sports: “I love playing for Newcastle.
“When I first came here, I was a bit apprehensive of how I would take to it because I’d never left Arsenal.
“I’d been at Arsenal since I was four and a half, so coming to a new club, coming up north to Newcastle was a bit scary.
“But as I came here and settled in and saw the love from the fans that I’m receiving, of course I’d love to continue playing here.”
Willock is one of the few players who have emerged from the Arsenal academy with flying colours.
He should focus on making an impression in the North East before the end of the season and that could help him get back into the team when he returns to the Emirates.
Maybe we should negotiate the deal permanent. £20 mils + add ons could do it.
We have promising midfielders coming up (Azeez, Cottrell, Patino)
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Well said McLovin, Willock is a player we could transfer for needed funds. Seems a good fit fot both sides & £20 million seems reasonable.
That money can be put towards Bissouma and really set base of our midfield. Partey & Bissouma with ESR in front is a midfield we can all get behind.
Cant see anyone paying £20m for Willock if I’m honest. Maybe a couple of years ago but in today’s market? With every club practically bankrupt? If we compare Willock to Odegard Madrid would want at least. Treble that amount for a far more accomplished player. If anyone offers £10m snap their hands off.
While I am a big fan of Bissouma , having watched seven Brighton matches this season he can be very lethargic and does not venture forward enough for my liking.He has excellent ball skills and awareness ,is quick over the ground but never dominates like Ndititi of Leicester and seems content to flit in and out of the game .He has real talent but he would have to step up in terms of effort and involvement if he is to be a success at Arsenal.Rather than sell Willock, I would offer AMN as part of the deal for Bissouma.
I concur Grandad…when I watched him play he seemed to be a little too hot/cold for my liking…now this might have something to do with his recent change to a deeper lying position, but I don’t think he makes sense as a natural DM and I’m not sure he’s skilled enough to play farther up the pitch…we should first clearly define our preferred formation, which I can only hope won’t be this defensively-minded 4-2-3-1 going forward, then figure out our specific midfield needs once that has been determined…at one point I was hoping that we might convert to a 4-1-3-2 or a 4-1-4-1, but based on Partey’s suspect cardio and overall health this year, I’m not convinced he could handle that 1-hole DM role
Willock is just showing that his heart was not fully with arsenal. Moreover how can you say you feel the love of the fans when you’ve not even played in front of the fans since no fan has been allowed into the stadium.
I’ll take willock by the hand to rangers and swap him with aribo who can contribute goals from midfield