According to Turkish media outlet Turkish Football, Everton have suffered a potential setback in their bid to sign Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup, rated at £9m by Transfermarkt, this summer after Premier League rivals Newcastle United joined them in the race for the 25-year-old.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Turkish Football says that Toffees boss Sam Allardyce is keen to bring the former Arsenal academy product to Goodison Park, but now the Magpies are also keen to bring him back to England.
As things stand the Turkey international would be available on a free transfer with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, but Turkish Football says that Besiktas are still hopeful of coming to an agreement with him even though he is still likely to go this summer, in order to ensure they receive a transfer fee for him.
How has Ozyakup done this season?
He has done well, even though he has found starts harder to come by in recent weeks after finding himself on the substitutes’ bench in their last five matches in all competitions.
[ad_pod ]
The 25-year-old has still provided six assists in 31 appearances in all competitions however, and he featured prominently in their run to the last 16 in the Champions League, before they were knocked out by Bayern Munich.
How much of a blow is Newcastle’s interest?
It will come as something of a blow given that the Tyneside outfit are a huge club with Rafa Benitez as their manager, but their Premier League place is still in jeopardy as they lie four points above the relegation zone with eight matches remaining.
Meanwhile, Everton need upgrades in the middle of the park with the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin – who the fans want to see go this summer – and Mo Besic failing to impress, and they may have a secret weapon in negotiations with the player in the form of Cenk Tosun – Ozyakup’s international teammate.
The Merseyside outfit will still believe that they can win the race for the former Gunners man, and they will know that they will be pulling off a huge coup if they can sign a player with plenty of Champions League experience on a free transfer.
