Newcastle United need to have a solid transfer window in a few months to ensure that they progress next season. There has been quite a lot of speculation regarding who the club might go after and latest reports reveal that they’ll go after Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup.
The Turkish international will supposedly demand around £2.5 million a year in wages and the Magpies are willing to pay him that fee to make sign on the dotted line. Newcastle have been linked with a few midfielders of late as Rafa Benítez will want more balance and creativity from the midfield compared the what they have mustered so far this season.
Ozyakup – fact file
The Turkish international has played in 20 games so far this season in the league, and he started in 14 of them. Because of how deep he has played this season, he has only mustered three assists so far but his influence in terms of passing the ball out from midfield and controlling the tempo has been impressive.
He averages a passing accuracy of 85.2% in the league and despite playing in a central midfielder role, averages 1.7 key passes a game which is something Newcastle will benefit from.
Ozyakup will be a smart addition to Newcastle United
A brilliant technical midfielder, he has the ability to play in a more attacking role because of how well he understands the game. The 2015-16 season was his best in terms of productivity as he mustered nine goals and seven assists.
If Newcastle do manage to sign him, Benitez should utilise him in a more attacking role and not shackle him with the defensive duties for which they have other players.
Players from different leagues often find it hard to adapt because they are not given the freedom and Benitez will be wary of the same. Ozyakup is 25 and having had the experience of playing in big derby games in Turkey and in the Champions League with Besiktas, he will only add more quality to the team.
Reports indicate that Everton are interested in his services and that the Tyneside outfit will have to hijack the deal. Compare to Everton, Newcastle don’t have the depth in midfield, so Ozyakup could be tempted by regular first-team action and the chance to work under someone like Rafa Benitez.
Stats via Whoscored