Joe Willock edges closer to quitting Newcastle after confirmed news
Besiktas are in a strong position to sign Joe Willock in the next transfer window after their president vowed to get a deal done, sources have told Football Insider.
Willock was the subject of serious interest from Turkish giants Besiktas over the summer, but they saw two bids for his services rejected by Newcastle.
Their second offer for the 27-year-old was reportedly worth £17million, but Matthias Jaissle made it clear that he wanted him to stay for the season ahead.
Willock has emerged as a key man for the German boss in the last few weeks, scoring twice in his first five league games of the campaign.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Besiktas remain the frontrunners to land his services in the coming window as Willock approaches the final months of his Magpies contract.
Newcastle are planning to hold talks with the midfielder to gauge his future plans, with an exit possible in January.
Joe Willock to Besiktas still on after president's comments
Besiktas president Serdal Adali recently insisted that he "will" sign Willock in 2027, after revealing that he had flown him and his family over to Istanbul in an attempt to seal a move.
The defiant club chief is sure that his effort to take the 27-year-old to the Super Lig will be rewarded, even though he could be persuaded to sign a new deal at Newcastle before the turn of the year.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Willock, right now, is in a very good position, in that he probably can decide his own future, whether that's as a free agent in the summer or if Newcastle are ready to offer a new contract.
"Besiktas' interest remains. They would like to sign him, and, given his contract situation, Willock will be free to sign a pre-contract with them in January. I think Besiktas are pretty confident that they will finally get a deal done for Willock."
Willock has hinted at longer Newcastle stay
Willock is one of the longest-serving Newcastle stars as it stands, having initially joined on loan from Arsenal in January 2021.
Jaissle pushed to retain his services in the summer because he had already lost two key midfielders in Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
The 27-year-old is yet to decide his future as his contract expires next June, but has hinted at being content on Tyneside.
Speaking to reporters last month, he said: "I feel valued. It's my fifth year at the club, and I'm really maturing in the way I think towards the team and getting older. There are a lot of young players coming in. It's a different role for me this season. I want to help others and push on in my career as well.
"The new manager has given me a new lease of life. I am really happy he's here and happy working under him. He's a really young, exciting coach, and we're all learning a lot from him. It's good times to be a Newcastle United player."