Besiktas’ Cenk Tosun is a man in demand with Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur all heavily linked.
If interest in Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun had not materialised so late in the transfer window, the Turkish goal-machine may already be plying his trade in the Premier League.
The Sun claims that both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace made bids during the final hours of the transfer window. However, it seems inevitable that Tosun will end up in England eventually as the report adds that the duo are still keen and have been joined in the race by Tottenham Hotspur.
Besiktas, Turkish Super Lig champions in the last two seasons, were willing to let Tosun leave for just £12 million this summer but, in the face of growing interest, have added another £5.5 million onto his price-tag.
While Newcastle have won three Premier League games on the bounce to sit fourth in the table, they should not miss an opportunity to bring Tosun to Tyneside – even if they will have to smash their transfer record to do so.
Man in demand
And The Magpies could get a surprise boost in the form of an ex-Middlesbrough striker. Besiktas landed Alvaro Negredo, who spent last season on loan at the Riverside from Valencia, in the summer and he could be a readymade replacement for Tosun at the Istanbul giants.
26-year-old Tosun has scored 41 goals in all competitions in the last two years for Besiktas and has also impressed in the Champions League, being awarded the UEFA official best goal of last season’s Group Stages with a stunning bicycle kick against Benfica.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have relied on centre-back Jamaal Lascelles for goals in their last two games, the captain scoring winners against Swansea and Stoke. Joselu, the only new striker arriving at St James’ in the summer, is hardly a prolific goalscorer while doubts remain about the ability of Dwight Gayle and the attitude of Aleksandar Mitrovic.
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