Arsenal agree to sell Willock to Newcastle for a fee ‘in excess of £20m’

Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement with Newcastle United for the permanent sale of Joe Willock.

A bid ‘in excess of £20million’ has been accepted by the North London side for the midfielder, according to The Athletic.

Willock enjoyed an impressive loan spell on Tyneside in the second half of last season, scoring eight goals in just 14 Premier League appearances for the Magpies.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has since made the 21-year-old his top transfer target, openly stating his desire to bring the midfielder back to St. James’ Park.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta had previously stated that he was open to the prospect of keeping Willock ahead of the coming season, but the Magpies’ offer of over £20m for a player not expected to command a regular starting spot was deemed too good to turn down – a similar situation to the sale of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa last summer.

Personal terms have not yet been agreed, but it is thought that Willock is keen to be given the opportunity of a regular starting spot and pick up where he left off on Tyneside.

Willock was absent from the Gunners’ matchday squad in their final pre-season friendly of the summer, a 1-0 defeat against bitter rivals Tottenham.

Arteta was initially coy about the 21-year-old’s absence, but in the hours proceeding the full-time whistle, reports of an agreement between the two clubs have emerged.

The focus at Arsenal will now turn to recruitment, with a marquee attacking midfielder expected to arrive at the Emirates Stadium to ease the strain on Emile Smith Rowe.

Leicester City’s James Maddison and Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard – who spent half a season on loan in North London last season – appear to be the primary targets.

Arsenal have until the end of August to conduct their transfer business, but with the Premier League season beginning in less than a week, it is growing increasingly unlikely that the Gunners will have a fully assembled squad before their first match against Brentford.