Newcastle United’s transfer window looks set to take another dramatic turn with midfielder Joe Willock edging closer to a move away from St James’ Park.
Reports relayed by Sport Witness indicate Besiktas submitted an opening offer worth €7m (£6.1m) guaranteed, plus a further €5m (£4.3m) in potential bonuses, taking the overall package to approximately €12m (£10.4m).
Newcastle have firmly rejected that proposal, with the club holding out for around €20m (£17.3m) to sanction the 27-year-old’s departure before the window closes.
Despite no club-to-club agreement being reached, Willock’s agent has already travelled to Istanbul to hold discussions, with the player subsequently agreeing personal terms with the Turkish club.
The development puts Newcastle in a complicated position, given that Willock is now entering the final year of his contract at the club.
The Magpies face a difficult decision between holding firm on their valuation now or watching the midfielder’s market value diminish further over the coming months.
There is even the risk of losing Willock on a free transfer in 2027 if no deal is struck, which could force the club to reconsider their asking price before the deadline passes.
Willock showed exactly what he can offer Matthias Jaissle’s side just days ago, scoring seconds after coming off the bench as Newcastle drew 2-2 with Liverpool at St James’ Park on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
His strike was labelled “wonderful” by co-commentator Gary Neville, with Anthony Elanga also on the scoresheet before Dominik Szoboszlai netted a 99th-minute penalty to rescue a point for the visitors.
Last season, Willock accumulated 1,690 minutes across 39 appearances, following 1,524 minutes in 41 matches during the 2024/25 campaign, making him a consistent contributor to the squad.
The departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes have already significantly reshaped Newcastle’s midfield, potentially opening the door for Willock to play an even bigger role if he stays.
Newcastle are simultaneously targeting Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez as a marquee signing, with the 24-year-old having joined City from Porto for around £50m in February 2025 but seeing limited opportunities since.
Gonzalez could provide Jaissle with a more natural defensive midfielder and help fill the void left by the club’s recent high-profile departures in the middle of the park.
With Besiktas expected to return with an improved bid and personal terms already in place, Newcastle’s hierarchy will need to decide quickly whether to stand firm or lower their valuation before the window shuts.