Everton have joined the race for Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun, leading Newcastle United to draw up plans for a big January bid.
With two months until the January transfer window swings open, the chase for Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun is hotting up.
Haber Turk reported on Sunday that representatives from Premier League duo Everton and Tottenham Hotspur held talks with the Turkish international’s father about a potential move to England in the New Year. Another goalless performance in The Toffees 2-0 defeat to Leicester City on Sunday only exacerbated how much Everton need a striker.
Perhaps due to fears of being left behind, CNN Turk are now reporting on Monday that fellow suitors Newcastle United are ready to meet Besiktas’ asking price and make a bid in the region of £18 million.
This is quite the step up from the £8 million Newcastle offered for Tosun in late August. With the 26-year-old already at the centre of discussions with both Tottenham and Everton, however, The Magpies will be hoping that their big-money offer will keep them in the race.
Tosun has been in prolific form for Besiktas in the last two seasons, scoring 41 goals in all competitions and also inspiring the Istanbul giants to successive Super Lig triumphs.
The former Frankfurt prospect has since shone in the Champions League, inspiring group stage wins against Porto and RB Leipzig before netting twice in a 2-1 victory at last season’s semi-finalists Monaco to put Besiktas on the verge of qualification to the knockout rounds.
Newcastle are currently eighth in the Premier League but have just ten goals to their name. Tosun, then, would be an immediate improvement on Joselu, Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic on paper.
Though with Everton throwing themselves into the race, Newcastle face a challenge luring Tosun to Tyneside.
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