Joe Willock is undergoing a medical today after agreeing personal terms with Newcastle United and saying goodbye to his Arsenal teammates.

Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock, on loan from Arsenal, during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James' Park, Newcastle, England on 12 March 2021. Copyright: Simon Davies
Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock, on loan from Arsenal, during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James’ Park, Newcastle, England on 12 March 2021. Copyright: Simon Davies

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Joe Willock has now agreed personal terms with Newcastle United on a six-year contract to join permanently from Arsenal, confirming similar reports in the last 24 hours.

As we know, Arsenal have agreed a fee of up to £25m for Willock, and Ornstein writes that the player has been in Newcastle undergoing his medical this morning.

Charles Watts reports that Willock said his goodbyes to his Arsenal teammates and the club staff at London Colney on Thursday, before heading up the country to complete his move.

According to The Athletic, Mikel Arteta was willing to welcome Willock back into the first-team fold, but Arsenal were always going to consider an offer of over £20m for a player who would be a squad option in North London.

With few bids for the more senior members of the squad, selling Willock was one way to raise funds for Arsenal’s remaining business.

Willock scored eight goals in his 14 appearances for Newcastle on loan in the second half of last season, almost as many as the 11 he scored for Arsenal in 78 games. He certainly found his niche in Steve Bruce’s side, and will hope to keep that going now on a permanent basis.