So far this summer, [Newcastle United](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/08/21/very-positive-newcastle-united-nico-gonzalez-transfer-boost/) have drawn more headlines for letting go of key players than signing them. Could another long-time midfielder be next to head for the St James’ Park exit door?
Midfield has to be viewed as an area of weakness for the Magpies right now. Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, arguably the club’s two best players in recent years, left within weeks of each other.
They have not been replaced yet. Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba are the two midfield signings that have been made. But those two might not even be ready to start games regularly, let alone fill the boots of players like Guimaraes and Tonali. They have a combined 50 senior appearances to their name so far.
So, one would think that Newcastle United would be busy signing midfielders over the next few weeks. Instead, one of their current ones continues to be linked with a move away.
According to an exclusive report from [Football Fanzone](https://x.com/foootballo/status/2090757177115848776), Newcastle United have conveyed that they could lower the transfer fee they are asking for to part ways with Joe Willock. This doesn’t mean the move is done. Besiktas still have not taken any concrete steps.
Earlier, it had been reported that Newcastle United were looking for €20 million for the transfer of Willock. And if you ask me, that was already a bit of a bargain figure.
Just look at the current state of the transfer market and what players are going for. Willock is 27 years of age and played 39 times even last season.
So, it is not like he is someone who has been completely out of the first-team picture at Newcastle United and needs to be moved on. In fact, many would argue that this is not the time to part ways with the 27-year-old at all.
Newcastle United have already lost a lot of quality and experience in the middle of the park this summer. Whether you rate him highly or not, Willock leaving would just add to that.
Even if Willock might not have developed as expected, he still has a ton of experience under his belt. He played 78 times for Arsenal and has 182 appearances under his belt for Newcastle United.
That is a ton of football at the highest level. At the very least, he can be an experienced veteran in the dressing room and someone who can still contribute on the pitch when called upon.
If Newcastle United are actually trying to engineer an exit for Willock, they should reconsider those plans. Especially until more quality and experience are added to their midfield first.