Newcastle United impressed by Tolgay Arslan – after Sunderland turned him down

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Newcastle United could leave North East rivals Sunderland red faced again with Besiktas midfielder Tolgay Arslan on their radar.

One year ago, Newcastle United were a Championship club while Sunderland were lording it over their local rivals in the Premier League. 12 months on, however, and the North East neighbours have swapped places in quite dramatic fashion.

Newcastle are sitting pretty in the top half of the top flight while managerless Sunderland are in the bottom three of the Championship and facing up to the prospect of successive relegations.

And, just to rub salt into the wounds, it seems that The Magpies could leave The Black Cats red faced once again by nabbing a player Sunderland could have signed just a few months ago.

Rivals red faced

The Northern Echo reported in March that Turkish champions Besiktas were willing to offer midfielder Tolgay Arslan to Sunderland as part of the deal to bring Jeremain Lens to the Vodafone Arena.

The report, however, stated that Sunderland had no interest in receiving players in exchange and only wanted a cash fee for the misfit Dutch winger – and promptly sold him to Lens for £8.5 million less than they paid for him back in 2015.

Flash forward to the present day and it appears that Arslan is now on the radar of Sunderland’s rivals Newcastle. Turkish paper Hurriyet reports that The Magpies sent scouts to watch Besiktas duo Cenk Tosun and Oguzhan Ozyakup – but it was versatile midfielder Arslan who caught their eye.

The 27-year-old won three tackles and completed 91 per cent of his passes, showing just what an all-round presence he provides in the centre of the park. Arslan looks an excellent fit for a counter-attacking Newcastle side.

And, if the former Germany Under-21 international moves to the North East in January, he may be a little glad it is not with crisis-ridden Sunderland.