West Bromwich Albion’s January bid for Besiktas striker Cyle Larin was in the region of £14 million, a close associate of club president Ahmet Nur Cebi explained to Radyospor, via Milliyet.
The Baggies certainly cast their net far and wide when looking for a new number nine during the winter window.
In the end, Mbaye Diagne arrived on loan from Galatasaray, giving Sam Allardyce’s relegation-threatened side the penalty-box presence they have been crying out for.
But, before snapping up the Senegal international on a short-term deal, West Brom tried and failed to sign another Super Lig forward with an impressive strike-rate in Turkish football.
Fanatik reported two weeks ago that West Brom had a bid rejected for Larin, with Besiktas reluctant to sell their star striker midway through a promising title charge.
And Canpolat, a former advisor of Besiktas’s president, has now shed more light on the situation, explaining why a forward who played alongside Kaka at Orlando City did not make the mid-season switch to the Midlands.
“A British team made an official offer to Beşiktaş. They offered 15 million Euros (£14 million) for Larin. President Ahmet Nur Cebi did not accept this. We have a goal to win championship goal,” he explained.
Interestingly, Canpolat did suggest that Besiktas may listen to offers for Larin at the end of the season, although West Brom would only be able to afford him if they can secure another season in the top flight; something that looks distinctly unlikely right now.
The Canada international has scored 15 goals in 28 games across 2020/21.
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