Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock is now in the final year of his current Magpies deal.

Besiktas are ready to reignite their interest in Newcastle United star Joe Willock at the end of the season - according to reports in Turkey.

The former Arsenal midfielder looked to be on his way out of St James’ Park during the summer transfer window with several clubs showing an interest in securing his services as he entered the final year of his current Magpies contract. However, the arrival of new head coach Matthias Jaissle has revitalised Willock and the 27-year-old has gone on to score two goals in his opening five games of the season. That tally included the only goal of a Carabao Cup win at Millwall in midweek - and the midfielder revealed the impact Jaissle has made on him since he was named as successor to Eddie Howe.

Joe Willock of Newcastle United scores his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Millwall and Newcastle United at The Den on September 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — Joe Willock of Newcastle United scores his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Millwall and Newcastle United at The Den on September 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Speaking to BBC Newcastle after the win at The Den, the midfielder said: “Yeah, I think I feel valued. I think this is my fifth year here at the club, sixth year maybe. I'm really maturing in the way I think towards the team. I'm getting older and there's a lot of young players coming in. I think it's a different role for me this season, I want to help others, I want to push on in my career as well.

“The new manager is giving me a new lease of life and I'm really happy that he's here. I'm happy working under him. I think he's a really young, exciting coach and we're all learning a lot from him. I think there's way more that we can get better in. It's good times to be a Newcastle player. I'm really excited to keep working, learning, keep giving my best for the team and hopefully we can continue in this vein of form.”

Turkish interest remains alive

38-year-old Matthias Jaissle started his managerial career in Austria five years ago | Getty Images

Jaissle and Newcastle are believed to be open to rewarding Willock for his upturn in fortunes with a new one-year contract that would warn off the threat of losing him for nothing when his current deal comes to a close next summer. If no new agreement is found, Willock’s time as a Magpies will end in June and reports in Turkey have suggested Super Lig club Besiktas would be keen to snap up the midfielder on a free transfer after they made an unsuccessful bid for his services during the summer transfer window.

Turkish news outlet Takvim have claimed Besiktas are ‘expected’ to revisit their interest in Willock after adding Borussia Dortmund star Salih Özcan and Juventus’ Fabio Miretti to their midfield ranks during the summer. The report states the Turkish club made an ‘intense effort’ to land Willock in preparation for the current season but we rebuffed in the attempts to secure a deal. Besiktas are said to have maintained contact with the midfielder’s representatives and had suggested a cut-price deal could be on offer in January - but will also look to land Willock on a free transfer if he is unable to agree a new deal with Newcastle over the coming weeks and months.

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