Newcastle United are willing to pay Arsenal’s £22m asking price to sign Joe Willock despite the limitations on their budget.

The Telegraph report that whilst Newcastle United’s transfer budget is small this summer, they want Joe Willock badly enough that they’ll pay the £22m asking price for him if they get the chance.

That’s slightly higher than the £20m that The Athletic reported that Newcastle would be open to paying last week, and that new asking price is lower than the £30m that other reports have claimed Arsenal want.

Perhaps that suggests the two clubs are close to compromising on a potential fee. But at the moment, Arsenal don’t seem to be pushing a sale through.

Willock is still playing pre-season games now he’s fit again, having recovered from a knock earlier in the preparation stages. He looked positive against Chelsea and would have had a goal if goalline technology was in action.

Things could change quickly if Arsenal decide they need the money to invest in another position, but for the time being, the signs are that Mikel Arteta is ready to use Willock.