Andy Cole outlines Joe Willock priority after Steve Bruce admits Newcastle United transfer interest

Andy Cole has insisted Joe Willock should prioritise first-team football next season and consider a permanent move to Newcastle United.

The Englishman has been in sensational form since moving to St James’ Park in the January transfer window.

No Arsenal player has scored more than Willock’s five since he left the club, whilst the Englishman’s immediate future beyond the end of the season remains unclear.

A fee of £20million has been cited for Willock, which would represent good value for a player with plenty of potential, and Newcastle fans have made it known they’d like to see him stay.

Cole believes Willock’s main focus should be ensuring he plays regularly next year.

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“He should be playing regular first-team football,” Cole told Sky Sports.

“When you get the opportunity to go on loan to a great club like Newcastle, you have to take it as a great experience and then try to further your footballing career.

“To go to Newcastle, which is such a big club, to score goals, next season, he has to say ‘I want to play regular first-team football.”

“I agree, if you compare him to Smith Rowe and with the goals he’s scored, they’d be talking about taking him to the Euros. Because he’s playing for Newcastle and Arsenal, it’s different.

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“He’s definitely going to want to play next season, if it’s not Newcastle, he’ll have options.”

Steve Bruce has admitted Willock is one of the club’s top transfer targets.

“All of us would love to (make it permanent),” Bruce said.

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“He’s 21, a midfield player and he’s got five goals since the turn of the year, so of course we want him – but we have to respect that he’s Arsenal’s player.

“I’m sure Arsenal will have big discussions this summer, but if there’s a possibility that we can bring him back we’d love to do it.”