OPINION
Newcastle United cannot compete with Everton in terms of big-money signings and wages.
But even Mike Ashley’s penny-pinching regime appear to have moved one step ahead of the cash-rich Merseysiders as they aim to beat numerous clubs across Europe to the signing of Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup.
Turkish site Fotospor claim the north-east giants have had a £13.1million bid accepted for the 25-year-old but have not yet sealed a deal as negotiations are continuing over a sell-on clause.
Everton have also been linked and the Sun recently reported they are keen to take advantage of the proven playmaker’s availability.
Little wonder that the two Premier League clubs are keeping such close tabs on the 25-year-old, who has been one of the outstanding players in the Super Lig since joining Besiktas from Arsenal in the summer of 2012.
Ozyakup inspired the Turkish club to the title in 2016017 and has been a talisman of the team over the last years.
Operating predominantly as a central midfielder, who can also play as a number 10, the 32-times international is a creative presence who can dictate the play from the centre of the pitch.
He has been directly involved in 77 goals for the club – 27 strikes and 50 assists – which is an impressive tally for someone in his position, especially as he was used in a deep-lying role in the recently completed season.
Ozyakup is a man in demand, with many English reports stating that he is out of contract this month, although that doesn’t tally with Turkish reports of a £13million transfer fee.
Whatever the player’s exact status, he is certainly a man in demand and it is telling that Besiktas are desperate to tie him to a new deal.
He could represent a great value signing for cash-conscious Newcastle.
