Newcastle has confirmed the permanent signing of Arsenal midfielder Willock in a deal that could be worth up to £ 25m.
What did Joe Willock say?
Joe filmed for the Magpies on a half-season loan from the Gunners’ final term, scoring eight goals since joining the club in January. Joe Willock has signed a long-term agreement with Newcastle and will wear the # 28 jersey as before. Joe Willock told Newcastle’s official website that he is very happy to be here. Joe loved his time here last season and is thrilled to be back and being a Newcastle United player. Leaving Arsenal is obviously a big step and Joe would like to thank everyone involved with the club for all their support over the years, but it’s the right move to the right club at the right time.
According to Joe Willock, he only had one chance to play in front of fewer Newcastle fans as a home player last season, so he can’t wait to come out in front of packed St. James’ Park and experience this atmosphere. Head coach Steve Bruce added that he was absolutely delighted to secure their # 1 goal. They had to be patient and persistent, but it was worth the wait to bring Joe Willock back.
A little about Joe Willock
Joe Willock has grown through Arsenal’s academy to become one of the club’s most talented midfield prospects, making his senior debut in the 2017-18 season. The midfielder broke through in 2019-20, making 44 appearances for the club, most of them off the bench. Arsenal failed to offer Joe Willock a guaranteed run of starts for the last term, which saw him make the move to Newcastle for the second half of the campaign.
The Gunners are eyeing another attacking midfielder’s move before the transfer window closes, with Maddison and Odegaard on the agenda. Real Madrid is ready to sell Martin for € 40 million this summer, and Arsenal is now ready to expedite the transfer negotiations. To fund the move for either Martin Odegaard or James Maddison, Arsenal needed to raise funds through sales, which led to the dispatch of Joe Willock.