Turkish giants Besiktas have reportedly identified Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck as a potential replacement for Cenk Tosun, who joined Everton earlier this month. Tosun joined the Merseyside outfit in a £27m deal, and the Istanbul outfit are now aiming to push through a potential replacement.
According to Aspor, Welbeck is the prime target on the club’s shortlist, and club president Fikret Orman is likely to open up negotiations with the Gunners over a proposed move. The England international began the campaign in fine fashion as he netted three goals prior to the first international break.
However, injuries continued to hamper him therein, and he has only recently found himself in contention for a starting role, only to the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Despite this, Arsene Wenger has fondly spoken about the Englishman on many occasions, and the club are likely to restrict his sale midway through the campaign.
Welbeck’s current deal expires at the end of next season, and it is suggested that the club have already begun talks over an extension in order to avoid a similar situation to the likes of Ozil and Sanchez, who are expected to leave in either January or the summer with their contracts expiring in five months’ time.
The former Manchester United graduate is eligible to play in the Champions League owing to the Gunners’ absence in the competition this term, and this may be another reason behind Besiktas’ pursuit, although it is left to be seen whether Welbeck would prefer leaving homeshores for a switch abroad.
Besiktas have won the Super Lig in each of the last two seasons, but they face a tough challenge this time around with the top-six separated by a margin of just six points. The Black Eagles are currently six points adrift of leaders Istanbul Basaksehir at the half-way mark, and they have some work to do in the second half of the campaign to win a third successive title.