Joe Willock almost joined Besiktas in the summer until Matthias Jaissle renewed his commitment to Newcastle United.
Joe Willock has already declared his love for life under Matthias Jaissle amid continued Besiktas speculation.
Newcastle United turned down an offer worth £17million for the midfielder in the summer. Jaissle viewed Willock - who has spent five-and-a-half years on Tyneside - as a key player despite his bit-part role in recent times.
He has repaid that faith with three goals so far this season. Deployed in a more advanced position, Willock has arguably been - after Lewis Hall - Newcastle’s best player in 2026-27.
We have launched a new NUFC YouTube channel to bring the latest Newcastle United news and analysis.Click this link and subscribe to NUFC Press Box.
Besiktas issue bizarre Joe Willock comments
Last weekend, Besiktas president Serdal Adali went rogue and discussed how close Willock was to signing for the club. He went as far as to suggest that they will get the deal over the line in January.
“There were players we couldn’t sign in the summer,” Adali said. “Our manager wanted Willock. From day one, it was Willock, Willock. Nobody knows this, but I brought Willock’s whole family to Istanbul.
“They picked out a house, and they had video calls with Italiano and Onder [Ozen, Besiktas director of football] at least ten times. Furthermore, we went to see the player in person twice. His contract ends at the end of the season. He can sign a pre-contract in the winter.
“They had asked for £20 million. We can sign him in January – in fact, I will sign him. The only player the manager wanted that we missed out on was Joe Willock. We genuinely need someone there.”
Stay in the know with St James’ Park’s biggest stories and sign up for our FREE Newcastle United newsletter
‘I feel valued’ - Joe Willock
Willock has a big decision to make as his contract dwindles into its final months. But the 27-year-old hinted to reporters recently that a new spark under Jaissle could sway his decision.
"I feel valued,” Willock said. “It's my fifth year at the club, and I'm really maturing in the way I think towards the team and getting older. There are a lot of young players coming in. It's a different role for me this season. I want to help others and push on in my career as well.
"The new manager has given me a new lease of life. I am really happy he's here and happy working under him. He's a really young, exciting coach, and we're all learning a lot from him. It's good times to be a Newcastle United player."