Newcastle United are prepared to make a 'take it or leave it' offer to Besiktas for Joe Willock, after the Turkish club indicated they will not increase their bid beyond £10.2m.
Talks continue over Willock's future
The Magpies have been in negotiations with Besiktas for the past month over the sale of the former Arsenal midfielder. Newcastle rejected a £10m bid in July and have been holding out for a fee of around £17m.
Chronicle Live understands that Arsenal are entitled to 10% of any fee, underlining Newcastle's desire to secure a larger sum for the player, who has scored 19 goals for the club.
Contract situation and pre-season form
Reports from Turkey on Friday suggest Besiktas believe Willock's contract situation—with one year remaining—should reduce the price. Willock has played in all of Newcastle's pre-season friendlies against Gateshead, Bristol City, Valencia, and Everton, and would be fit to start against Liverpool.
Neither Eddie Howe nor Matthias Jaissle have had issues with Willock's attitude, with the player focused on his fitness this summer.
Willock's stance and Jaissle's comments
At the end of last season, Willock indicated his intention to stay at Newcastle, mentioning his plans four times in an interview with the club's TV channel. He said: "People are going to the World Cup, and some people are having a break. From there, have a break but full focus on coming back next season and coming back in the best possible way and look to next season."
Jaissle, speaking last week, said he was still assessing the squad. He said: "It would be unfair to judge them now after one session, so they can show up, like I just said, and we have still time. Not everyone will be happy, it's normal in football, one or the other wants to leave as well, but again, we have time. First, let me come here and do the job, let's work all together and then we'll make the decisions."
