Besiktas president Serdal Adalı has revealed the Turkish club is planning a January transfer raid for Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock, claiming the Magpies have set a £20m asking price.
Willock came close to a £17.2m departure in the summer before Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle disrupted plans for a sale and informed the former Arsenal player he was a key part of his plans. Willock has responded with three goals in the opening chapter of the season and has stated he is happy on Tyneside.
Adalı details summer pursuit
Adalı said: "There were players we couldn’t sign in the summer. Our manager wanted Joe Willock from day one, it was Willock, Willock, Willock."
"Nobody knows this, but I brought Willock’s whole family to Istanbul. They even picked out a house, and they had video calls with Vincenzo Italiano and Onder [Ozen, the football director] at least ten times. Furthermore, we went to see the player in person twice."
Contract extension option
Willock has the option to extend his Newcastle contract at the end of the season, according to Adalı. The power is in Newcastle's hands, and they could effectively offer Willock a renewed package and wipe out any existing clauses.
Adalı said: "He could sign in the mid-season. They asked for £20m. We can sign in January, and I will. Joe Willock was the player the coach wanted but was missing. We really need him there."
Willock on his form
When asked about his future after scoring the winner against Millwall in the Carabao Cup, Willock said: "I feel valued. It is like my fifth year at the club, and I am really maturing in the way I think towards the team and getting older."
"There are a lot of young players coming in. It is 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 is a really young exciting coach and we are all learning a lot from him. It is good times to be a Newcastle player."
