Newcastle will likely have to shell out more than £20million to sign Joe Willock permanently this summer, according to a report from Chronicle Live, with the Magpies hoping for the cheaper option of another loan deal.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Willock netted what could prove to be a vital late equaliser against Spurs on Sunday.

The Englishman had started the game on the bench, the first time he's missed out on a start since making the temporary switch to the North East.

Willock is only 21 years old and has two years remaining on the long-term Arsenal deal he signed in 2019.

Even in a 'depressed market', the report says, he would command a very high fee.

The club's technical director Edu said after the move was agreed in February that Willock remained an 'important member' of the Gunners' squad.

Another option for Newcastle is to arrange another season-long loan. That's understood to be the Magpies' preference at this stage - that would, of course, be contingent upon them remaining in the Premier League.

Transfer Tavern verdict

This move made sense in January, and there's no reason to believe the picture will be any different in the summer.

Willock is still going to be on the periphery if he stays at the Emirates, and he is certainly in with a shout of becoming the Magpies go-to man in the middle of the park.

From Arsenal's point of view, there would be little sense in refusing to sanction another loan to Tyneside, or even a permanent move if Newcastle stump up the cash.

In other news, Lee Ryder slammed this player's performance in the draw with Spurs.