The 23-year-old looks likely to be on the move this summer with Tottenham and Liverpool just two of many clubs linked.
Anderson Talisca’s two-year loan move from Benfica to Besiktas in the summer may have seemed like something of a sidewards step, particularly when his electric start to life in the Portuguese capital appeared to put him on track for one of Europe’s traditional elite.
And, according to O Jogo, Liverpool had agreed a fee of around £20 million for the Brazilian attacker in the summer, only for visa problems to scupper the move and force him across the continent to Turkey instead.
Though that does not mean any potential deal is officially dead with Turkish Football claiming that The Reds will send scouts to watch Talisca in action as Besiktas square up to Galatasaray in this weekend’s Istanbul derby.
The publication reports that representatives from a number of Premier League clubs will also be in attendance and it would be little surprise to learn that Tottenham Hotspur were keeping track of the 23-year-old’s progress.
The Standard claimed two years ago that Talisca had caught Spurs’ eye following an exceptional run of form during his first season with Benfica in 2014/15 and with Mauricio Pochettino seemingly in the market for another creative midfielder, the six-goal loanee could still be in their sights.
An excellent dribbler and a dead-ball specialist, Talisca would certainly add more verve to the attack and could represent a major upgrade on the erratic Heung Min-Son, the absent Erik Lamela, the ill-fitting Moussa Sissoko or the forgettable Georges-Kevin N’Koudou (below).
Furthermore, Turkish Football adds that Besiktas will be unable to afford Talisca’s £20 million asking price while the player himself is determined not to return to Lisbon. Therefore, one of Europe’s most enigmatic talent could finally be on his way to England.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
