Newcastle United keeps reshaping its squad following a summer of sweeping changes at St. James’ Park, and the club could now be preparing to move another midfielder before the transfer window closes.
Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu reported on Saturday that Newcastle and Besiktas are close to agreeing a €20 million (£17.4 million) deal for Joe Willock, in what sounds like a breakthrough after weeks of negotiations over the 26-year-old’s potential move to Istanbul.
The development follows Sabuncuoğlu’s
earlier reporting that Willock’s representative had traveled to Turkey to negotiate with Besiktas and that the midfielder himself was receptive to making the switch.
“The representative of Joe Willock, who wears the Newcastle United shirt and has been offered to Beşiktaş, has arrived in Istanbul for transfer talks,” Sabuncuoğlu reported at the time. “The individual, having completed their meetings, has left Istanbul. The player is warmly inclined toward wearing the Beşiktaş shirt.”
The two clubs had initially appeared some distance apart over Willock’s valuation. Turkish reports indicated Newcastle had been looking for as much as €30 million (£26.1 million), while Besiktas was attempting to bring that figure down significantly.
Sabuncuoğlu’s latest reported valuation sits at a more palatable €20 million (£17.4 million), in a development that would represent a compromise between the two sides and potentially clear the final major club-to-club obstacle to Willock’s departure.
“I’ve said it before, Joe Willock is already very warmly inclined toward Besiktas,” Sabuncuoğlu said. “If it reaches the 20 million level, Besiktas will seal the deal for Joe Willock.”
The midfielder’s contractual situation has added urgency to Newcastle’s decision, as Willock, who arrived from Arsenal in 2021, is entering the final year of his contract and could consequently see his transfer value decline considerably if Newcastle keeps him beyond the summer, with the Magpies ultimately risking losing him for nothing next July.
On top of that, Willock’s role and importance in the squad also became increasingly smaller last season, and this year, despite the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, it doesn’t feel like that might change for the better. Newcastle has already added young midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur and continues to explore further reinforcements, including Marseille veteran Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, so there are plenty of players still above Willock in the pecking order.
Willock made 39 appearances across all competitions last season, starting 18 times and contributing one goal and three assists.
Assuming the reported agreement is completed, would €20 million (£17.4 million) represent good business for Newcastle with Willock entering the final year of his contract, should the Magpies try to get more money, or would you rather keep him in the team after losing so much midfield talent already? Share your verdict in the comments section below!
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