Jacob Murphy set for Newcastle deal with Joe Willock likely to leave

Newcastle United could be heading towards contrasting contract decisions involving two of Matthias Jaissle’s senior players.

A new report claims Jacob Murphy is now closing in on a new deal, while Joe Willock’s long-term future looks increasingly uncertain, according to The Mail’s Craig Hope. 

Murphy set for contract extension

Murphy is reportedly ‘very close’ to signing a new contract that would extend his current deal by 12 months, keeping him at St James’ Park until the summer of 2028.

According to Craig Hope, negotiations have accelerated, with the winger ready to agree improved terms after Newcastle rejected several offers from Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window.

Forest’s bids reportedly reached £15million towards deadline day, with Murphy believed to have been open to the move. However, Jaissle made it clear that he wanted the 31-year-old to remain on Tyneside, valuing his experience and leadership within an increasingly young dressing room.

While unpopular with many fans online, the new deal would protect Newcastle’s investment, ensuring the club could command a transfer fee if they decided to sell him next summer rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Murphy has started our last two Premier League matches following Anthony Elanga’s injury, although he is yet to rediscover his best form, enduring a poor start to the campaign following a below par 2025/26. 

His standout campaign came in 2024-25, when he scored nine goals and registered 14 assists. Having joined from Norwich City in 2017, he remains one of our longest-serving players, with 25 goals in 265 appearances across all competitions.

Willock’s Newcastle future increasingly uncertain

The situation surrounding Willock appears rather different, with Hope reporting that there has been little progress towards a new contract.

There had been an expectation that the midfielder would also agree an extension after Newcastle rejected interest from Besiktas during the summer. However, that now looks less certain, with the Turkish club retaining serious interest in the 27-year-old.

Willock’s current contract expires next summer, meaning he could begin negotiating a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside England in January if his situation remains unresolved.

Hope reports that this is now likely to be Willock’s final season on Tyneside, despite his promising start under Jaissle. Newcastle could also consider selling him in the January transfer window rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of the campaign.

Willock has scored three times in seven appearances this season, showing signs of rediscovering the form that made him such an explosive player following his initial loan spell from Arsenal. 

However, with no new deal close and interest from Turkey remaining, Newcastle may soon have a decision to make.