According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United decided against a deal for Jetro Willems during the January transfer window.
It’s claimed that the Magpies did contact Williems’ representatives in December to try and figure out his fitness after a lengthy lay-off through injury.
Newcastle’s recruitment team felt that Willems could rekindle his fine connection with Allan Saint-Maximin down the left flank, with the pair having a strong friendship.
However, boss Steve Bruce allegedly vetoed the deal, feeling that his budget was too tight to finalise a deal for Willems.
Newcastle instead finalised a loan deal for Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock, and the decision appears smart given that he scored against Southampton on Saturday.
The report does note that Newcastle are still considering a summer deal for Willems, given that he is out of contract at Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.
Willems’ representatives are looking elsewhere though now after that Newcastle deal fell through, meaning the Dutchman could move to another club instead.
The 26-year-old impressed on loan at Newcastle last season and would offer great competition for Jamal Lewis – but we’ll now see whether Bruce’s decision costs the Magpies a shot at signing Willems permanently this summer.
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