Beşiktaş's Willock Plan: Fee Talks Underway with Newcastle
Beşiktaş are in talks with Newcastle United over a fee for Joe Willock, who is entering the final year of his contract and won't be offered a new deal.
Beşiktaş in Talks for Willock
Beşiktaş are looking to sign Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock this summer. According to The Telegraph, the two clubs are discussing a fee, with the 26-year-old entering the final year of his contract — a factor that makes a deal more feasible.
Newcastle Won't Offer a New Deal
Newcastle reportedly do not plan to offer Willock a contract extension, making a summer exit increasingly likely. Selling a player whose contract is running down is often a more attractive option for clubs than risking losing him for nothing later.
The Numbers Behind Willock: Limited Minutes, Balanced Output
According to StatsLook data, Willock made 24 appearances in the 2025/2026 Premier League season but saw limited playing time (979 minutes, 42% starts). In that reduced role, he still contributed 2 assists, while his 1.36 xG suggests he was getting into scoring positions himself. His average rating of 6.13 placed him in the top 83% at his position — slightly below the midpoint but far from ineffective.
Looking at his per-90 numbers, Willock ranks 8th among Premier League central midfielders in big chances created (0.37 per 90). He also sits 10th in the league in assists (0.18 per 90), pointing to a balanced creative contribution. His ball recovery numbers are also solid (22nd, 4.78 per 90).
He ranks lower in volume metrics like total touches (43rd) and accurate passes (44th) — a natural byproduct of his limited minutes, suggesting a rotation-player profile rather than a guaranteed starter.
What This Means for Beşiktaş
The numbers show Willock can still deliver a balanced contribution in the minutes he gets, despite limited game time in the Premier League. For Beşiktaş, this profile represents a risk-reward mix: experience and positional versatility (central midfield and left wing), but without a guarantee of regular playing time based on his recent role at Newcastle.
This article is based on reporting from The Telegraph. Statistics sourced from the StatsLook database.
