Newcastle United star breaks silence on transfer U-turn - in line for new contract
Joe Willock almost left Newcastle United in the summer after attracting interest from Besiktas.
Joe Willock has revealed his delight at staying at Newcastle United after coming close to leaving in the summer.
The 27-year-old midfielder was approached over a move to Turkish side Besiktas and might have departed had Eddie Howe remained in charge after falling down the pecking order last season.
However, the appointment of new boss Matthias Jaissle has given what Willock says is a “new lease of life” after he scored his second goal of the campaign to seal a 1-0 win at Millwall in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
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Willock came off the bench to score in the Premier League opening draw at home to Liverpool and has started each of the Magpies’ last four matches.
Joe Willock ‘happy’ to still be a Newcastle United player
“I'm happy to still be here,” Willock told BBC Radio Newcastle. “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.”
The former Arsenal man is into the final year of his contract but could be rewarded with a 12-month contract extension.
“Yeah, I think I feel valued,” Willock added. “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.”