Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder has revealed when the next steps in Newcastle United's move for Joe Willock could be completed. 

The lowdown

It emerged on Sunday night that Newcastle had agreed a fee in excess of £20m to sign the midfielder from Arsenal.

The 21-year-old spent the latter half of the 2020/21 season on loan at St James' Park and equalled Alan Shearer's club record of scoring in seven consecutive games at the end of the campaign.

Willock could prove to be one of the five most expensive signings in the Magpies' history if the deal goes through - 2019 addition Joelinton currently leads the way on £39.6m.

The latest

Newcastle do still have a hurdle to overcome - agreeing personal terms with Willock. If he is indeed open to the move, he should travel to the northeast within the next 24 hours, according to Ryder.

A medical would then likely be pencilled in for the early part of the week. After that, the 21-year-old could sign on the dotted line and officially become Newcastle's first signing of the summer.

The verdict

You'd hope that personal terms don't prove to be a significant issue here. Willock truly came into his own on Tyneside a few months ago and his first team prospects appear far better than they are at Arsenal.

Some Newcastle fans would consider this transfer a minimum requirement, but it's pretty exciting nonetheless. He brings unique qualities to Steve Bruce's side, as evidenced by him matching Shearer's long-standing record, and he should just keep getting better if he is playing regularly at the age of 21.

After an arduous summer of continued takeover delays and transfer inactivity, the Toon Army finally seem to have something to feel positive about.

In other news, check out this intriguing claim on the future of Allan Saint-Maximin.