Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Besiktas ace Oguzhan Ozyakup.
Croatia’s Luka Modric in action with Turkey’s Oguzhan Ozyakup
Besiktas president Fikret Orman has been quoted by Turkish Football as saying that he intends to give midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup a new contract amid interest from Tottenham.
Ozyakup, 24, joined Arsenal back in 2008 having been in the ranks of AZ Alkmaar, with the Dutch-born midfielder making a move to England in an attempt to become a Premier League star.
Unfortunately, the playmaker played just twice for Arsenal, with both appearances coming in the League Cup as the Gunners eventually let him leave for Besiktas in 2012.
Since joining the Turkish giants, Ozyakup has thrived, notching 26 goals and 36 assists in 171 appearances for Besiktas – and his performances appear to have attracted interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Express reported last weekend that Tottenham Hotspur are keen to hand Ozyakup a return to North London, with a value of £12million placed on his head.
A creative midfield player, Ozyakup could be a smart addition, but not only is there competition from Roma, Sevilla and former club Arsenal, but Besiktas won’t sell him without a fight.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Federico Fazio (L) and Besiktas’ Oguzhan Ozyakup in action
Club president Fikret Orman has been quoted by Turkish Football as saying that Besiktas want Ozyakup to stay – and are prepared to offer him a new long-term contract to try and secure his future.
“We want Ozyakup to stay, there is a lot of talk of him leaving but we want him here and will offer him a new 4-5 year deal,” he added.
Of course, Ozyakup could reject the offer and pursue a move back to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Spurs seemingly keen to lure him back to England this summer, given that he has just over a year left on his Besiktas contract.
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