Everton are hoping to sign former Arsenal starlet Oguzhan Ozyakup from Super Lig champions Besiktas JK in January.
Five years after Arsenal let a young Turkish midfielder by the name of Oguzhan Ozyakup leave for just £400,000, The Sun claims that Arsene Wenger is prepared to pay 25 times more to bring him back to The Emirates.
But Arsenal are not the only Premier League side interested in the Besiktas talisman. Fotomac reported this month that Everton have been given permission to talk to Ozyakup’s agent ahead of a transfer in January.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and it is understood that Besiktas, who have won each of the last two Super Lig titles, could be willing to listen to offers of around £10 million.
And former Turkish international and current pundit Ridvan Dilmen believes all the signs are that Ozyakup will be on his way in January.
“I feel Oguzhan will leave Besiktas in the 2nd half of the season, and the developments show this,” 29-cap Dilmen said in quotes reported by Fotomac.
But it’s Dilmen’s previous comments on Ozyakup that should catch Everton’s eye. Back in August 2015, the 55-year-old went as far as to compare the skilful midfielder to none other than the legendary Zinedine Zidane – while also stating that he had the potential to play for Barcelona in his column for Turkish paper Sabah.
If Ozyakup has half the talent of Zidane, Everton will be making one hell of a signing for £10 million.
The dynamic playmaker has helped Besiktas win each of the last two Super Lig titles and, with his turn of pace and creativity from central midfield, could be the ideal replacement for Ross Barkley at Goodison Park.
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