Turkish football club Besiktas is reportedly close to finalizing a significant transfer, securing the services of Benfica`s Turkish international midfielder, Orkun Kökçü.
According to reports emanating from Turkey, the deal is structured as a season-long loan agreement, which includes an option for Besiktas to make the transfer permanent by purchasing the player`s rights at the conclusion of the season.
Besiktas`s intent was clear, with club president Serdal Adali reportedly taking a direct approach by traveling to the Netherlands, where Kökçü is currently on vacation. The purpose of the visit was to personally present the Istanbul club`s vision and secure the midfielder`s commitment.
The potential move follows recent speculation regarding Kökçü`s future at Benfica. It has been reported that the player himself has communicated his reluctance or outright decision not to return to the club`s setup in Lisbon. Kökçü`s tenure at Benfica has seen moments of brilliance but was also marked by a notable disciplinary incident during the Club World Cup, involving a widely reported disagreement with the coaching staff after a substitution. This appears to have paved the way for an amicable (or perhaps mutually desired) departure.
More Than Just Kökçü: Benfica`s Other Assets Eyed
Interestingly, the negotiations between Besiktas and Benfica extended beyond Kökçü. The Turkish club reportedly had its sights set on acquiring talent elsewhere within the Benfica squad.
Besiktas also inquired about a loan deal for young Norwegian forward Andreas Schjelderup. Their manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a fellow Norwegian, is said to be an admirer of the 21-year-old`s abilities and wished to bring him to Istanbul under similar loan-with-option terms as proposed for Kökçü.
However, this particular negotiation did not progress favorably for Besiktas. Benfica, led by president Rui Costa, reportedly gave a firm `no` to the potential loan of Schjelderup. It seems some players are considered more integral to Benfica`s future plans or simply not available on loan, regardless of managerial preference elsewhere.
The Gedson Fernandes Conundrum
Adding another layer of complexity to the discussions was the situation surrounding Portuguese midfielder Gedson Fernandes. Gedson is already a Besiktas player, having joined in 2022 when the Turkish club acquired 50 percent of his economic rights from Benfica. Besiktas`s objective during the recent talks was to purchase Benfica`s remaining 50 percent stake.
Acquiring the full rights to Gedson, who has reportedly increased his market value significantly in Turkey, proved difficult due to a disagreement over the valuation. Benfica is reportedly holding out for 10 million euros for their share, while Besiktas is seeking a lower figure. This standoff highlights the inherent complications of shared player ownership.
The situation is further complicated by recent reports of a substantial 20 million euro offer for Gedson from Russian club Zenit. Besiktas reportedly rejected this bid, a decision likely influenced by the necessity to split the transfer fee equally with Benfica under their existing agreement. It seems the shared rights model, while potentially lucrative in theory, can create interesting negotiation dynamics in practice.
In summary, while Besiktas appears poised to secure Orkun Kökçü on loan, their attempts to bolster their squad further with other Benfica players have met resistance, particularly regarding Andreas Schjelderup, and face valuation challenges concerning Gedson Fernandes.
