‘He’s a hell of a player’: 60-year-old wants to sign Arsenal 21-year-old permanently

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Steve Bruce has stated that he wants to sign Arsenal loanee, Joe Willock, for Newcastle on a permanent basis.

After Willock came off the bench to score the winning goal during Newcastle’s 3-2 win against West Ham, Bruce described the Arsenal academy product as a ‘hell of a player’, as he told the Chronicle.

That’s three goals for Willock since his January switch to St James’ Park and none of them came more important than his late header on Saturday.

After the game, Bruce claimed that he would build his team around a player of Willock’s qualities, as the 60-year-old admitted that he would love to snap him up on a permanent basis.

“We would love to keep him here,” said Bruce. “He’s the type of player you’d love to build your club around.

“Whether it’s possible, I am not so sure – as a young player, he had a really good impact.

“Of course, with a young player you can dip them in and out, he is only 21-year-old. He’s a hell of a player and a great lad.”

There is some serious talent coming off that production line in Hale End.

Willock, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Folarin Balogun, Bukayo Saka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could all argue that they will in the first-team picture next season, of course, some already are.

Whilst Bruce dreams of potentially adding Willock to his ranks, given that Mikel Arteta is handing youngsters a chance to shine, it would be a surprise if he let one thriving and performing go in the summer.