Serdal Adali has now revealed that he had Joe Willock and his ‘whole family’ flown to Istanbul this summer in an attempt to sign the Newcastle United star.
Besiktas looking set to land their transfer target.
However, Matthias Jaissle and Newcastle United convinced the former Arsenal player to stay.
Joe Willock reacting with much improved and consistent form this season so far, with also goals against Liverpool, Hull and Millwall.
Compared to last season just a solitary strike against PSG for United in 39 first appearances across the 2025/26 campaign.
Besiktas president Serdal Adali making public to Turkish media what happened during the transfer window.
The Turkish club’s resident speaking to Milliyet: “There were players we couldn’t sign in the summer. Our manager wanted Joe Willock from day one, it was Willock, Willock, Willock. Nobody knows this but I brought Joe Willock’s whole family to Istanbul. They even picked out a house and they had video calls with [manager] Vincenzo Italiano and [director of football] Onder Ozen, at least ten times. Also, we went to see the player in person twice. Willock could sign in mid-season [January 2027], they [Newcastle United] asked for €20m [approx £17.2m]. We can sign him in January and I will. Joe Willock was the player the coach wanted but was missing. We really need him here.”
It had been widely accepted that the former Arsenal player was going to be leaving for a new club this summer.
Before the season kicked off it was reported in Turkey on the player’s 27th birthday (20 August 2026) that Besiktas had made an offer to buy Joe Willock.
The Super Lig club had been linked with Joe Willock for some time and it was claimed that a formal offer had finally been made. That offer said to be €7m (approx £6m) plus €5m (approx £4.3m) in potential future add-ons but Newcastle United wanting €20m (approx £17.2m). Which fits in with what the Besiktas President is saying now.
I think their chance of getting Joe Willock on the cheap has now gone, maybe if they had gone close to the £17m or so that Newcastle United wanted, maybe they’d have gone him last month.
As for potentially getting the NUFC player for nothing next summer, I can’t see it. If no new contract is agreed then Joe Willock would be free to speak to any overseas clubs in January and agree a move that would happen next summer (2027).
However, 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.