🚨 HE WANTS OUT! Newcastle Star With 174 Appearances ‘Requests January Exit’ As Spanish League Move Emerges

Newcastle United could be facing another difficult decision when the January transfer window opens, with the future of one of the club’s long-serving players now becoming a major talking point on Tyneside.

The midfielder has been part of Newcastle’s story for more than five years and has already made an impressive 174 appearances for the club. But despite his experience and recent improvement under Matthias Jaissle, questions over his long-term future have refused to disappear.

And now, with his contract situation becoming increasingly important, there are suggestions that the player could be ready to consider a move away from St James’ Park.

The situation is particularly interesting because Newcastle have already faced interest in the midfielder before.

The player originally arrived on loan from Arsenal in January 2021 before completing a permanent move to the Magpies later that year. Since then, he has experienced plenty of ups and downs, including important goals, periods of regular football and frustrating spells competing for a place.

His current contract runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, meaning Newcastle have an important decision to make. If no agreement is reached over an extension, overseas clubs can begin discussions over a pre-contract from January under the six-month rule.

That makes the upcoming transfer window particularly significant.

One club that has already shown serious interest is Besiktas.

The Turkish giants reportedly pushed hard for the midfielder during the summer, with Besiktas president Serdal Adalı openly discussing the club’s pursuit. According to the report, the player’s family even visited Istanbul and looked at potential accommodation while discussions were held with the coaching staff.

Newcastle, however, rejected offers believed to have been around £17-20 million.

At the time, Jaissle made it clear that he valued the midfielder and wanted to keep him. That decision appeared to make sense as the season progressed, with the player enjoying a brighter start and becoming more involved in the team.

Under Jaissle, he has looked sharper and more confident, contributing his trademark energy from midfield and showing why Newcastle were reluctant to let him leave.

But there is another side to the story.

Reports earlier in 2026 suggested that the player had become frustrated by limited opportunities and was open to a move that would guarantee him more regular football.

That history is now being brought back into the spotlight.

With the player approaching the final stage of his contract, Newcastle have three obvious choices. They can offer him a new deal and try to convince him to remain on Tyneside. They could listen to offers in January and collect a transfer fee. Or they could keep him until the end of the season and risk losing him for nothing.

The Spanish league has also been mentioned as a potential destination, although there is no confirmed Spanish club or completed transfer at this stage. The report makes clear that the Spanish move remains part of the wider speculation rather than an established agreement.

For Newcastle supporters, however, the situation will still be worrying.

This is a player who has already given the club more than five years of service and 174 appearances. His arrival from Arsenal produced an immediate impact, and his goals helped Newcastle during an important period of the club’s recent history.

Now, the question is whether that relationship will continue beyond this season.

Jaissle has reportedly remained relaxed about the situation, describing the midfielder as a top player with further potential. But public confidence does not necessarily mean that a new contract is close.

With Besiktas already interested and the possibility of another overseas move growing, January could become a decisive moment.

And the Newcastle midfielder at the centre of all this?

Joe Willock.

The 26-year-old now faces a major decision over his future, while Newcastle must decide whether to fight to keep him, cash in before his contract expires, or allow the situation to run until the summer.

For a player with 174 appearances in black and white, the next few months could determine whether his Newcastle story continues — or whether a new chapter begins somewhere else.