- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United have all asked about Semih Kilicsoy but Premier League giants Arsenal and Man City are still best placed to sign the ‘special’ Besiktas wonderkid.
HITC understands that, ahead of a summer in which some of the Turkish Super Lig’s best talents could be on their way to England, an Istanbul-born 18-year-old is courting serious interest from the UK’s most deep-pocketed clubs.
We reported at the start of May that Arsenal and Manchester City were at the front of the queue for Semih Kilicsoy’s much-coveted signature.
A month later, that remains the case. A leading scout at one of those clubs believes that Kilicsoy is a ‘special’ talent.
But the teams of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola are now facing plenty of competition from elsewhere as the pursuit of the free-scoring teenager heats up. HITC have now been told that Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle and Man United have now enquired about Kilicsoy.
As have Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, Bayern Munich and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal and Manchester City still lead Semih Kilicsoy race
Kilicsoy has admirers at Real Madrid too. Los Blancos snapped up fellow Turkish wonderkid Arda Guler from Fenerbahce in 2023, the attacking midfielder enjoying a superb end to an injury-hit debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Like with Real’s interest in the Chelsea-bound Estevao Willian, however, the arrivals of Endrick and Kylian Mbappe will make it difficult for the Champions League finalists to accelerate their chase of Kilicsoy this summer.
A Turkey U21 international, Kilicsoy celebrates his 19th birthday in August. He contributed 11 goals and four assists in just 20 Super Lig starts as Besiktas finished a disappointing sixth in the league. The teenager did, however, help his hometown club lift the Turkish Cup, beating Trabzonspor in the final.
Reports in his home country believe that Besiktas will demand £22 million.
”Semih Kilicsoy is Turkey’s rising star,” former Galatasaray goalkeeper Ahmet Bulut tells Sporx, urging Besiktas to demand far more for their prized asset.
Can Pep Guardiola can the next Sergio Aguero?
An instinctive and emphatic finisher off both his right and his left, Kilicsoy idolises Sergio Aguero. The chance to follow in the Argentine’s Etihad footsteps at Manchester City, then, may appeal to him.
“He is a very dynamic, talented striker who can use both feet very well,” ex-Besiktas defender Eksi tells Fanatik, drawing comparisons with a Germany and Bayern Munich icon.
“Stylistically, he resembles the legendary striker Gerd Muller from our time.”
It remains to be seen, if Man City win the race, whether Kilicsoy would play under Pep Guardiola in 2023/24 or whether he would be loaned out to one of their many sister clubs. Girona, thanks in part to the twinkle-toed talents of Savio, will be playing Champions League football next season.
City have already agreed a deal for Argentine wonderkid Claudio Echeverri. HITC, meanwhile, understands that the sky blue side have also won the race to sign Luciano Rodriguez – the so-called Uruguayan Mbappe – ahead of Chelsea and co, who could head to Girona first.
“I don’t think about transfer issues at all,” Kilicsoy said last week, via Fotospor. “I act in the interests of my club and in line with our president. I’m incredibly happy to play for Besiktas.
“In terms of my playing style, I find Premier League, Serie A and La Liga suitable for me. I compare myself to Aguero in terms of playing style. My dream is to play in the Premier League.
“It’s the pinnacle of football.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
