Newcastle to ‘consider’ Joe Willock January sale as ‘concern’ emerges

Newcastle United will “consider” a potential sale of midfielder Joe Willock in January, sources have told Football Insider.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at St James’ Park at the end of the campaign, and the club are struggling to agree a new deal for him at the moment. 

Besiktas came close to signing Willock in the summer, and are prepared to move back in for him once again, with Newcastle forced to assess their options.

Sources say that the Magpies are reluctant to lose the midfielder on a free transfer, and are prepared to consider any offers that come their way this winter as a result.

Matthias Jaissle is a fan of Willock, but there is little sign of him and the club being able to agree terms on a new deal. 

He has already started five of the opening seven Premier League games this season, but Newcastle may have to live without him after January.

Newcastle “concerned” about pre-contract deal

Willock’s future is essentially in his own hands at the moment, and Besiktas’ sustained interest gives him another possibility for a move in January.

He will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with European clubs as soon as the winter window opens, as he will then be into the final six months of his contract on Tyneside. 

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Newcastle are “concerned” by the fact that they have little control over Willock’s future right now. 

A pre-contract agreement would at least see them keep hold of the player until the end of the campaign, but they would be unable to net any sort of transfer fee as part of his exit.

They are running out of time to address Willock’s future, otherwise the prospect of losing him could become reality in just a few months.

Newcastle working on centre-back addition

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Newcastle’s recruitment team are already working to bring in a new centre-back within the next two transfer windows.

The centre of the backline has emerged as the next priority for Jaissle and Co., with the lack of depth in that area a concern at the moment. 

Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both out of contract at the end of the season, which could potentially leave the boss with just two centre-back options. 

However, the club are already aware that they need to rectify that situation, and the recruitment team are already exploring a number of potential targets.