It was a shame for both club and player when Jetro Willems picked up a season-ending injury against Leicester City back in 2020, but now he's a free agent and former Magpies defender Steve Howey believes that he could be an option that Steve Bruce looks to bring in.

Willems turned down a new contract at Eintracht Frankfurt as he is holding out for a return to Tyneside to link up with good friend Allan Saint-Maximin, whom he struck up a great relationship with both on and off the pitch.

The Dutch international certainly endeared himself to the Newcastle fans with stellar performances at both ends of the pitch and his goals against both Liverpool and Manchester City were certainly memorable ones with the latter being a crucial one in the match.

After Jamal Lewis failed to impress this season with just a 6.34 WhoScored rating and Matt Ritchie, not a natural defender, Willems could be the best and most viable option for Bruce this summer. That's according to Howey, who spoke exclusively to Transfer Tavern:

"I thought he did really well and I think he was very unfortunate with that injury, but it is one of those things which meant he obviously had to go back and it's very frustrating as a player.

"He did do quite well here and the fans liked him so it's certainly an option that they could look into."

If Willems was to join Newcastle permanently then it would appear to signal the end of Paul Dummett's career as a left-back for the Magpies and considering how much he impressed at the back end of last season as a centre back, it would come as no surprise.

Something that will have sparked life into Bruce's transfer plans for this summer is that his budget is now set to increase from a measly £10 million, all the way up to £50 million in a shocking turn of events considering Mike Ashley is desperate to sell the club.