Newcastle target Tolgay Arslan has been repeatedly linked with a move to one of Europe’s biggest leagues.
Turkish outlet Haberler claim Newcastle United are interested in signing Besiktas midfielder Tolgay Arslan in the summer, but face competition from German heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.
The 27-year-old has been one of the first names on Besiktas’ team sheet this season, as they look to defend their SuperLig crown. They currently sit in third and three points behind first-placed side Galatasaray.
Known for his intricate array of passing, Arslan can dictate the tempo of play at the base of a midfield as well as not being afraid to get stuck in when it comes to grinding out results.
The German-born midfielder has represented both Turkey and Germany at youth level, featuring for both Under-21 side, but is yet to make a senior appearance for either country. He even featured in the Champions League knockout stages this season.
The Toon already boast an array of central midfielders in Jonjo Shelvey, Mikel Merino, Mo Diame and Isaac Hayden, with Henri Saivet currently on loan in the SuperLig with Sivasspor.
But adding a player of Arslan’s calibre would surely see him become the Toon’s first-choice central midfielder. Rafa Benitez has a fight on his hands, though, with Dortmund and Leverkusen likely to offer European football.
Does Hayden have a future?
Former Arsenal midfielder Hayden, 22, has dropped to fourth choice in the pecking order as the form of Diame continues to see him become more and more important in the fight against relegation.
If the Toon do indeed sign another central midfielder, and Benitez continues to use a 4-2-3-1 system, then surely Hayden will be made surplus to requirements in the summer.
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