Newcastle United didn’t seize the opportunity to sell Joe Willock before the Premier League transfer window closed on Tuesday, but the midfielder’s summer transfer saga might not have reached its conclusion just yet.
Matthias Jaissle has been impressed enough by the 27-year-old to reintegrate him into his plans, with Newcastle rejecting a Besiktas offer reportedly worth up to £17 million (€19.7 million).
According to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, however, the Turkish club still has a brief opportunity
to change Newcastle’s mind.
“Besiktas, meanwhile, have until September 3 to put their money where their mouth is on Willock,” Ryder reported.
Turkey’s delayed transfer deadline means Besiktas can still sign Willock despite Premier League clubs no longer being able to complete incoming transfers.
Newcastle’s position, however, appears considerably different from earlier in the summer, and it’s not quite clear if an improved offer could convince the Magpies to sanction Willock’s exit.
Willock had slipped down the hierarchy under Eddie Howe and appeared destined to leave, with Besiktas pursuing him for much of the window, but Jaissle’s arrival transformed his situation as the German manager brought him back to his rotation.
The former Arsenal midfielder came off the bench and scored an excellent goal in Newcastle’s 2-2 Premier League opener against Liverpool before starting the subsequent victories over West Brom and Tottenham.
Ryder reported that Willock has now been “earmarked by Newcastle to be part of Matthias Jaissle’s squad in the first half of the campaign.”
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reported on Monday that Jaissle views Willock as an option in the No. 10 role and was sufficiently impressed to support Newcastle’s decision to reject Besiktas’ offer. That role, however, will carry additional competition following the €60 million (£51.4 million) arrival of Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.
If Willock stays past Sept. 3, there could also be a longer-term commitment coming. The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope reported that Willock is set to stay and Newcastle is likely to hold talks over extending his contract by another 12 months. His current deal expires next summer.
Besiktas therefore still has time to make one final push, but this is no longer simply a case of Newcastle waiting for an acceptable offer. Jaissle actively wants Willock in his squad, and after rejecting a proposal worth as much as £17 million, it would seemingly require a significant late change for Newcastle to reverse course.
Should Newcastle reject any further Besiktas approach and extend Willock’s contract, or would an improved offer still be worth considering? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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