Newcastle United transfers: Joe Willock has been heavily linked with a move away from the club this summer.
Joe Willock came off the bench to score his first Premier League goal in two-and-a-half years to help Newcastle United claim an opening-day 2-2 draw with Liverpool at St James’ Park.
The 27-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Besiktas in Turkey this summer, came off the bench straight after Cody Gakpo had equalised for Liverpool. And less than two minutes after his introduction, Willock found the net to put the Magpies back in front following Anthony Elanga’s early opener.
But the Reds ultimately had the last laugh as Lewis Hall conceded a 96th-minute penalty that was converted by Dominik Szoboszlai in what was virtually the last kick of the game to rescue a point.
Joe Willockplaceholder image
Joe Willock | Getty Images
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Willock came on in an advanced midfield position and quickly linked up with Yoane Wissa to score. It saw the midfielder build on some promising pre-season showings, and gave Jaissle some food for thought in the process.
“Yeah, it was Joe like we wished to see him,” Jaissle said after the match. “He showed that already in the pre-season, in these three weeks now, that he has this potential.
“I'm so happy that he stepped on the pitch when it was needed, and he showed that straight away. Pure commitment again from him. We can go through the whole squad today, and that's so important.
“Not only the starting 11 players, but also the non-starters, that they have that commitment if they're needed, if they come in, that they deliver. So I'm really proud.”
The Newcastle boss was then asked directly if he wants to keep Willock at the club after he was previously thought to be made available to leave with less than 12 months left on his contract.
“Sure, with these performances, definitely,” he responded.
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Reports from Turkey have claimed Willock has agreed terms to join Besiktas but Newcastle are still yet to green light the transfer exit. The midfielder was spotted at the end of the match waving to supporters at St James’ Park with some questioning whether it was just a normal post-match wave or a permanent farewell.