Newcastle’s January window may open with a decision about a departure before any thought of an arrival.

Joe Willock, 27, reached a personal-terms agreement with Besiktas during the summer, and the Turkish club have never let the file close. According to Turkish-Football, Besiktas plan a fresh approach when the winter window opens, with the player’s representatives having agreed terms with the Istanbul club during summer deadline-day talks.

The Shields Gazette reported this week that Willock is Besiktas’ top target heading into the window.

Besiktas tabled €7m plus a further €5m in bonuses in the summer. The combined package is worth around £10.4m, a bid Newcastle rejected, with the Magpies demanding closer to €20m, roughly £17.3m.

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The real pressure point is Willock’s contract. He is in the final year of his deal on Tyneside, and from 1 January he will be free to sign a pre-contract with any foreign club. Besiktas can therefore wait for the summer and take him on a free transfer unless Newcastle lower their valuation.

Jaissle wants Willock to stay

The complication for Newcastle is their head coach. Matthias Jaissle, appointed on a four-year deal in August 2026 after Eddie Howe stepped down, has used Willock as a regular since taking charge and is reported to be relaxed about the Besiktas interest.

That stance leaves the Istanbul side pursuing a player whose manager wants to keep him and whose price tag they will not meet. Jaissle is understood to view the England midfielder as part of his first-team project rather than a sale.

Besiktas plan a January return

Besiktas president Serdal Adalı has publicly talked up the chances of landing Willock in January, pointing to the player’s family visits to Istanbul as a sign he is open to the move.

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The Turkish side appear ready to try a reduced, cut-price offer in the winter rather than meet Newcastle’s valuation, calculating they can hold their nerve and secure a pre-contract if the standoff continues.

The English winter transfer window opens on 1 January, from which point Willock will be allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement with Besiktas or any other foreign club.

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