Serdal Adalı Had Announced It: New Development in Joe Willock Transfer Pursuit
Beşiktaş are reportedly moving closer to signing Joe Willock, with the club hopeful of completing a deal during the January transfer window. The Turkish side tried to bring the Newcastle United midfielder in last summer, but that move did not come together. Now, with his contract approaching its end, the prospect of a transfer appears to have gained momentum.
Willock is open to a move to Beşiktaş
Willock has turned down a new contract offer from Newcastle United, according to reports in the Turkish press. The 27-year-old’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, and he is said to be receptive to continuing his career in Türkiye.
Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalı has previously made clear that the midfielder is a priority for head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Adalı described the club’s efforts to persuade the player, saying that Willock’s relatives had visited Istanbul to look at potential homes and had spoken with club representatives over video calls. He also said that Beşiktaş officials had travelled to meet the player on two occasions.
Adalı suggested that an agreement could be reached before the end of the season. He said Newcastle had previously sought a fee of £20 million, but added that Willock’s contract situation could make a January move possible. The president also stressed that the midfielder was the one player the coach wanted who had not yet joined the squad, and that Beşiktaş needed reinforcement in that area.
Willock’s record at Newcastle
Willock joined Newcastle from Arsenal in 2021 for a reported fee of €29.4 million. Since then, he has made 189 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists.
This season, he has played seven matches and accumulated 442 minutes, scoring three times. Those figures suggest he has made an impact when given opportunities, although his overall playing time will be an important factor as Beşiktaş assess whether a move is feasible.
Why January could be decisive
The timing of the transfer may be significant for both clubs. Newcastle could face the possibility of losing Willock without a transfer fee if he remains until his contract expires, while Beşiktaş may see the winter window as an opportunity to secure a player they have pursued for months. However, a deal would still depend on the clubs reaching acceptable terms and on the player agreeing to the proposed contract.
Beşiktaş’s interest is not new. The attempted summer move indicates that the club had identified Willock as a target before the current developments emerged. Adalı’s public comments also point to sustained contact, though they do not by themselves confirm that an agreement has been completed.
If the transfer goes ahead, Willock could give Beşiktaş another option in central midfield. His experience in English football and his record of contributing goals from midfield may appeal to the coaching staff. The exact role he would be expected to fill, however, would depend on the team’s tactical plans and the needs of the squad at the time of his arrival.
The financial terms are likely to be central to negotiations. Newcastle’s earlier valuation, mentioned by Adalı, would represent a substantial investment, but the approaching end of Willock’s contract could affect the club’s bargaining position. A January transfer fee, salary demands and the length of any proposed deal would all need to be considered.
Willock’s decision will also depend on the sporting opportunity available to him. Regular playing time, the chance to compete for trophies and the prospect of a new challenge in Türkiye could all influence his choice. Beşiktaş will need to make clear how he fits into the side and what role he would have if he joins.
For now, the reported progress falls short of confirmation that the move is final. The clearest indications are that Beşiktaş remain interested, the player is reportedly open to the switch, and his contract situation has added urgency to the talks. The January window could provide the moment for the long-running pursuit to reach a conclusion.