FIFA rules give green light for in-form Newcastle United star to leave in January - on one condition
Newcastle United transfers: Besiktas will make a move to sign Joe Willock in January - on one condition.
Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock is already subject to serious transfer interest from Besiktas months ahead of the January window opening.
The Turkish Super Lig club tried to sign Willock in the summer, but Newcastle blocked the deal. The 27-year-old has since started the season positively and is the club’s joint-top scorer with three goals to his name.
But with less than a year left on his contract, Besiktas are ready to pounce. Besiktas president Serdal Adali has claimed he ‘will’ sign Willock on a pre-contract come the new year and Newcastle could be powerless to stop it, unless they act soon.
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FIFA rules could let NUFC star leave for nothing
As things stand, Willock will be into the final six months of his contract come the new year and would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club. That would see him join on a free transfer come the end of the 2026/27 season.
FIFA regulations state: "A club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform the player’s current club in writing before entering into negotiations with him.
"A professional shall only be free to conclude a contract with another club if his contract with his present club has expired or is due to expire within six months.
"Any breach of this provision shall be subject to appropriate sanctions."
The only way Newcastle could keep hold of Willock in that instance would be if the player were to reject Besiktas’ approach, having previously agreed to join the club in the summer. Alternatively, Newcastle could look to strike a new contract with Willock before he enters the final six months of his current deal.
Given his new lease of life and importance to the side under head coach Matthias Jaissle, it is a possibility.
Joe Willock on NUFC
Following his strong start to the season on the back of a summer of transfer noise surrounding him, Willock said: “I'm happy to still be here. As I said, it's a massive club that's played a big part in my career. I'm really happy to still be wearing this badge and my shirt and giving my all for this club.
“As I said, it's an important club for me and I'm looking to push forward this season. I think we've got big aspirations in this season so hopefully we can reach those goals. I'm happy to be here and continue fighting and trying to play my best football and giving my best version of myself.”
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Other Newcastle United players could leave in January
Willock is not the only Newcastle player out of contract at the end of the season and free to agree a pre-contract deal with a foreign club in January.
Nick Pope, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy and Mark Gillespie all have deals that expire at the end of the season and would be free to enter a pre-contract arrangement with clubs abroad should they wish.
Pope in particular was made available to leave Newcastle in the summer but was unable to find a new club, he is set to be available to leave once again when the transfer window reopens in January.