You have to laugh at the embarrassing nonsense from Turkish media on this Newcastle United star.
Joe Willock at the heart of this one.
The turkish-football .com site putting out the headline: ‘Beşiktaş Handed Boost as Newcastle United Greenlight Joe Willock Exit’
So what is it all about?
Well, in the summer it was reported that Beşiktaş were trying to buy Joe Willock and had been quoted £17m (€20m) by Newcastle United.
In the end, the Turkish club reportedly offered a paltry £6m guaranteed and a possible further £4m more in the future depending on certain factors.
With Newcastle United having lost so many experienced players in the summer window already, it became an easy decision for United to keep Joe Willock. Matthias Jaissle telling the club he wanted to keep the former Arsenal player and this offer from Beşiktaş trying to get him on the cheap.
So what is the basis for this new turkish-football site headline declaring : ‘Beşiktaş Handed Boost as Newcastle United Greenlight Joe Willock Exit’?
This is what it says in their report to justify that headline: ‘According to reports from Football Insider, Newcastle management are willing to listen to formal offers for the former Arsenal midfielder after his involvement fell into a secondary rotation role under Eddie Howe. Willock has been restricted to just eight appearances across all competitions this season, prompting both the player and club to evaluate mid-season exit options to secure regular starting football. With the midfielder entering the final months of his contract at St. James’ Park, Newcastle face pressure to negotiate a deal in January or risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer.’
Well for starters, the Football Insider site is absolutely woeful when it comes to churning out so many Newcastle United transfer stories that never happen. Exactly what ‘Insider’ information they have on NUFC or indeed any club is very much open to question.
Then you have the rest of this ‘article’ trying to back up the lame headline and their source/sauce.
Joe Willock making ‘just eight appearances’ this season would be incredible, as Newcastle United have only played seven games so far.
As for him having a ‘secondary rotation role’, after coming off the bench and scoring against Liverpool in the opening NUFC game of the season, Joe Willock has then started five of the most recent six Newcastle matches and came off the bench in the other.
I think the chances of Beşiktaş getting Joe Willock have long gone, if they had offered close to the £17m or so that Newcastle United wanted, maybe they’d have secured him. However, making a feeble low ball offer ruled that out.
This season Joe Willock has bounced back to the kind of form he showed in 2022/23 when Newcastle United finished top four and he was an automatic starter. Injuries and staying fit then hampering his chances of getting back to that form since then, until now.
Having scored three goals as well already, on top of his general form, just like Yoane Wissa it is the case of Joe Willock now becoming a key player for Matthias Jaissle this season.
I think that in the very near future Newcastle United will make public a new extended and enhanced contract agreed with Joe Willock. Having lost so many experienced players and with the player’s renaissance on the pitch this season, NUFC and Matthias Jaissle will surely look to ensure he is kept hold of for the foreseeable.
As the early season injury crisis has shown us all what a small squad Newcastle United have, the last thing the club will be doing is let first team players leave at a bargain price in January.