According to Turkish sports website Turkish Football, Newcastle United have joined Premier League rivals Everton in the race to sign Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup, who is rated at £9m by Transfermarkt, this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Turkish Football reports that the Toffees are plotting a move for the 25-year-old, who left for his home country five years ago having failed to make the grade with Arsenal, but the Magpies are ready to hijack their interest.
Turkish Football says that the Tyneside outfit have been scouting the Turkey international throughout the campaign and have sounded out his representatives about a potential move to St James’ Park.
The report adds that Besiktas believe they have in agreement in place for the player to extend his deal which is due to expire at the end of the season, and they will need that to ensure that they receive a transfer fee for the player.
How has Ozyakup done this season?
He started the campaign as a regular in the middle of the park for the Turkish giants, but in more recent times he has found himself on the substitutes’ bench – starting the club’s last five matches in all competitions from there.
The 25-year-old has made 31 appearances in all competitions for Besiktas this term, providing six assists.
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According to WhoScored.com, the main strengths to his game are his passing, his dribbling and his concentration, and he has made 39 key passes in 26 outings in the Super Lig and the Champions League this season, while he has successfully completed 17 of the 24 dribbles he has attempted.
Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?
He certainly could be, yes.
If the Magpies survive in the Premier League this season and were able to bring a player who knows the English game and has played in the Champions League to St James’ Park – potentially on a free transfer – they would be delighted.
The fact that Ozyakup could bring a goal threat and creativity from the middle of the park – he has 27 goals and 48 assists in 213 appearances for Besiktas – would help the Tyneside outfit from an attacking point of view, but it would surely raise question marks over the futures of Jonjo Shelvey and Mikel Merino, who the fans believe should be playing in a more advanced position than he currently does, with the latter in particular struggling for starts in recent months with Mo Diame preferred ahead of him.
