Liam Kennedy has been speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters about Jetro Willems potentially joining Newcastle United.
The Dutchman recently revealed that he is desperate to move back to Tyneside after his loan spell with the Toon in the 2019/20 season.
Willems made 20 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions and scored two goals and provided three assists.
However, a horrible ACL injury ended his time in January 2020, and he hasn’t played a senior game of football since.
This could be a problem if Newcastle want to sign him because of the new Brexit laws, but they also face competition from other clubs for the Dutchman’s signature.
Kennedy said: “It’s the new Brexit rules, and how you get him into the country on a work permit effectively because the lad hasn’t kicked a ball for 15/16 months.
“The new rules basically put you in a place where you have to have played at a certain level, for a certain level of team, and [in] a certain division.
“Willems would have to be a big exception on that because he doesn’t tick any of the boxes that will be required to come in and get new work permits under the Brexit rules.
“Willems has got other clubs interested as well. There was a lot of Premier League interest last summer. One of them was West Ham. I’m not sure whether they would come in again this summer.”
Do you think Newcastle should sign Willems?
Yes, he would be a good addition
No, we don't need him
TIF Thoughts on Willems…
It looks like the Toon could face some problems in their pursuit of Willems, but if the club want him, hopefully, they would be able to secure him a work permit because he clearly wants to return to Newcastle.
The 27-year-old did impress while he was with the Toon, but could Newcastle rely on him after so long out?
It remains to be seen, but if the Toon can find a way around the work permit issue, we think they should bring him in because he is keen to join and has performed well in the past.
In other news: ‘I hope so’, ‘I will cry buckets’ – Some Newcastle fans excited as big claim emerges