Newcastle United’s summer business is not finished. With eight days to go before the Premier League window closes, the Magpies are pushing to sign González, with Football Insider putting the fee Manchester City want at around £52m.
Head coach Matthias Jaissle has publicly backed Willock to stay. Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder reports that Jaissle wants the 27-year-old midfielder to remain at St James’ Park, days after Willock scored in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Willock had been widely tipped to leave, with Football Insider reporting the midfielder was “surplus to requirements” earlier this month. His Sunday goal appears to have shifted the picture.
Turkish side Besiktas have made a formal bid worth €7m plus up to €5m in add-ons, well short of Newcastle’s asking price of around €20m.
Read also: France stun Jokic's Serbia at the buzzer
Manchester City talks not yet advanced
Manchester City have told González he is free to leave before the September 1 deadline, but negotiations with Newcastle are not yet advanced, according to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke. City want to recoup the fee they paid FC Porto for the Spaniard in January 2025.
Rebuild after Tonali and Guimarães exits
Newcastle have already committed heavy investment this summer, with reports of £34m spent on Aladji Bamba and £20m on Sean Steur as Jaissle rebuilds a midfield left short by the departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães.
Ahead of the Liverpool match, Jaissle spoke openly about further business.
“For sure, there will be adjustments made, the needs are clear,” the German told reporters. “The management knows about the needs and we are all aligned.”
Read also: Ferrari under fire as Hamilton and Leclerc publicly question Dutch GP tactics
Jaissle himself was appointed after Eddie Howe’s departure, arriving from Saudi side Al Ahli on a four-year deal.
Willock’s goal at St James’ Park came after a pass from Yoane Wissa, the midfielder finishing beyond Alisson from the edge of the area.
Newcastle were denied victory when Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty, a decision Jaissle called “a really soft one”.
The Premier League deadline is Tuesday, September 1.
