Joe Willock Transfer Latest as Besiktas Plot January Move for Newcastle United Midfielder

Besiktas president Serdal Adali has gone public with a striking declaration over Joe Willock, insisting the Turkish club will return for the Newcastle United midfielder in January after failing to complete a deal during the summer window. In comments that will inevitably attract attention on Tyneside, Adali outlined how advanced discussions had become and suggested the move came close to being finalised.

According to the original source, Besiktas believed they were firmly in the race when Willock entered the final year of his contract. A fee of around £17 million had been mentioned previously, while Adali has now claimed Newcastle wanted £20m. The change in circumstances at St James’ Park appears to have been decisive, particularly after the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, which altered the club’s midfield planning and strengthened Joe Willock’s place in the squad.

Besiktas make Joe Willock intention clear

Adali did not hold back when explaining how hard Besiktas pushed. He said, “There were players we couldn’t sign in the summer.” He then made plain where Willock sat on the priority list, adding, “Our manager wanted Joe Willock from day one, it was Willock, Willock, Willock.”

Perhaps the most eye-catching line was his claim that, “Nobody knows this, but I brought Willock’s whole family to Istanbul.” Adali continued, “They even picked out a house, and they had video calls with Vincenzo Italiano and Onder [Ozen, the football director] at least ten times. Furthermore, we went to see the player in person twice.” Those are unusually detailed remarks from a club president and they offer a rare glimpse into how advanced a proposed transfer can become before collapsing late in the process.

Adali then made his January objective crystal clear, saying: “He could sign in the mid-season. They asked for £20m. We can sign in January, and I will. Joe Willock was the player the coach wanted but was missing. We really need him there.”

Matthias Jaissle influence changes Newcastle picture

The landscape has shifted since that summer pursuit. Willock has started the season strongly, scoring three goals in seven matches, and his role under Matthias Jaissle appears far more prominent than many anticipated only a few months ago. Newcastle’s new head coach is understood to value his energy, athleticism and attacking thrust, qualities that have become increasingly important after changes in midfield personnel.

That shift has also been reflected in the player’s own words. After his winner against Millwall in the Carabao Cup, Willock said: “I feel valued. It is like my fifth year at the club, and I am really maturing in the way I think towards the team and getting older.” He added, “There are a lot of young players coming in. It is a different role for me this season. I want to help others and push on in my career as well.”

Contract situation keeps January transfer window alive

The contract status remains central to this story. As things stand, Joe Willock would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from January, a reality that ensures interest from Besiktas cannot be dismissed. Yet Newcastle may feel the balance of power has improved if the player remains central to Jaissle’s plans and continues producing on the pitch.

Willock also offered a telling verdict on life under his new manager, saying: “The new manager has given me a new lease of life, I am really happy he’s here and happy working under him.” For Newcastle, those words may matter as much as any external approach.

Credit to the original source, this is one to monitor closely as January approaches. Besiktas have made their intentions public, but Newcastle now have both form and feeling on their side.

Our View

From a hopeful Newcastle United fan perspective, this report feels like one that cuts both ways. On one hand, hearing another club president speak so openly about Joe Willock is hardly ideal, especially when the player is thriving again and finally looks settled in a big role. On the other, it says everything about his value that Besiktas remain this determined after missing out in the summer.

If Willock truly “feel valued” and believes Jaissle has given him “a new lease of life”, then Newcastle have to build on that immediately. This is a midfielder with pace, drive and a directness that can change games. When he is fit and confident, he gives the side something different, especially in transition and around the box.

Supporters will hope the club move quickly on the contract rather than letting the situation drift towards January. Selling him now would feel like a backward step unless a major offer arrived, and even then replacing his profile would not be simple. The bigger picture is that Newcastle need continuity, leadership and players who are buying into Jaissle’s methods. Right now, Willock sounds like one of them. If that remains the case, the priority should be obvious, keep him, extend him, and make him part of the next phase.

Source: talksport.com