Newcastle United have finally received an offer from Beşiktaş for Joe Willock after weeks of talks over the midfielder.
The Turkish side have been working on a deal since July. Willock’s agent travelled to Istanbul for talks and the player was open to the move.
There was then a valuation gap between the clubs. Beşiktaş were prepared to spend €12-13m (£10.4-11.3m), while Newcastle wanted €23m (£19.9m).
Now there has finally been a concrete move. Turkish journalist Mustafa Karatas reports that Beşiktaş have offered €7m (£6.1m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses.
Newcastle United lower their demands
That package could eventually reach €12m (£10.4m), which is around the level Beşiktaş had been considering. Newcastle aren’t accepting it, though.
The Magpies currently want €20m (£17.3m) for Willock. That is interesting given the previous reports from Turkey. Sabah had put their asking price at €23m (£19.9m), with that figure holding up negotiations.
So there appears to have been some movement from Newcastle. It still hasn’t been enough to bring the two clubs particularly close.
Beşiktaş had previously been hoping to get the price down to around €15m (£13m). Their actual proposal guarantees considerably less than that.
Willock used regularly without being a guaranteed starter
Newcastle United’s position also has to be viewed alongside Willock’s role last season. He made 39 appearances in all competitions, putting him among the more frequently used players in the squad.
Yet those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Willock featured 24 times in the Premier League but started only ten matches. Even when involved, he didn’t always get significant minutes.
His contract situation gives Newcastle another decision to make. The 26-year-old has entered the final year of his deal, so this summer provides an obvious opportunity to cash in.
Beşiktaş have now gone beyond talks and put money on the table. Newcastle also appear to have softened their demands from the €23m (£19.9m) previously reported.
There is still a sizeable gap to bridge, particularly when only €7m (£6.1m) of the Turkish club’s proposal is guaranteed.
