Joe Willock's Newcastle Future: Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Joe Willock appeared to be almost out of the door and on his way to Turkish side Besiktas until Matthias Jaissle arrived and put a stop to the move.

That decision has looked justified. At least for now.

Willock has responded with three goals in his opening seven appearances this season, becoming an important part of Jaissle's plans so much so that he was surprisngly selected alongside Nico Gonzalez against Coventry on Monday night.

But... in the last year of his contract should Newcastle offer Willock a new one or let him go in January?

Besiktas President Makes His Intentions Clear

Besiktas president Serdal Adali has made no secret of his determination to bring Willock to Istanbul.

He claims the midfielder's family visited Turkey during the summer and even selected a house while negotiations were taking place.

Adali has now publicly declared his intention to complete the transfer in January, although that is a statement of ambition rather than confirmation of an agreement.

Jaissle however appears unwilling, at least for now, to surrender a player whose performances have improved considerably under his management.

In his last presser the Newcastle manager said he is unconcerned by Besiktas' public statements, while reports suggest Newcastle are considering fresh contract discussions.

Newcastle Face a Difficult Financial Decision

Willock's current Newcastle contract expires on 30 June 2027.

That means he could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club from January, potentially leaving Newcastle without a transfer fee next summer.

The club therefore faces three choices: offer him a new contract, consider selling him during the January transfer window, or retain him for the remainder of the season and risk losing him for nothing.

The last option is surely not one the club should be exposed to.

Besiktas are desperate to sign Willock and his form may encourage other clubs to consider offers, c£20M for a 27 year old coming into his peak years and scoring goals in the PL could be considered a bargain.

If Willock keeps up his current form Ross Wilson could demand a fee of c£25M+ in January and that would help to fund another CB that is a priority given the age of Schar and Burn and the inconsistent form and injury record of Sven Botman.

Unlike at CB, in addition to Willock, Jaissle is overloaded with options for the 2 and 3 in his 4231 system; Miley, Nico, Bamba, Steur, Ramsey and, on the wings and at 10, Barnes, Toure, Elanga, Murphy, Wissa and Pardo.

Willock went on a scoring spree when he first arrived on loan and typically that dried up once he signed. Will his current form and scoring run continue or hit a brick wall?

Jaissle and Ross Wilson have a decision to make on Willock.

If he isn't offered a new contract before January my guess is he could decide to run his existing contract down leaving him in a strong negotiating position for a big signing on fee with a new club in the summer.

Jaissle's decision on Willock will be based purely on his form and wanting to keep a strong squad, while for Wilson the decision is purely financial for a player who could help fund a new CB signing in January.

Who will make the final decision...

And what would yours be?

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