Everton has been linked with a January move for Besiktas forward Cenk Tosun earlier this month. According to latest reports, the Toffees are closing in on their first signing in the winter transfer window. A representative from respected UK newspaper The Guardian has claimed that Sam Allardyce’s Everton has agreed on a £25m deal to secure the services of the Turkish Super Lig striker Cenk Tosun. The reported fee seems to be a bit higher than the previously quoted figures in the region of €15-20m but it should not come as a surprise with the striker in such sensational form for Besiktas in this campaign.
Tosun has fired in 13 goals in 23 appearances for the Turkish Super Lig club so far which includes his four strikes in the Champions League that has helped his side qualify as group winners into the knockout phases of the competition. They are now set to face the reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the last 16 of Europe’s premier competition.
Understand Everton have agreed £25m fee with Besiktas for Cenk Tosun. Striker expected to move when transfer window opens #efc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) December 27, 2017
It is understood that the Merseysiders has beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace on the hunt for his signature. Some sources of late have suggested that the forward has agreed to personal terms with the Toffees for a €4m annual salary and will put to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal.
Tosun made a breakthrough into the Besiktas first-team in the previous campaign and scored 24 goals in 47 matches across all competitions. He has also earned 29 international caps for the German youth teams, before deciding to opt to play for Turkey on the international stage. He can also boast 25 international caps for Turkey and has scored 8 goals for his nation.
There is no doubt about his talent but he is still unproven at the elite level as the Turkish Super Lig does not represent the highest quality which could turn out to be a risk for the Merseysiders. However, his goal scoring record both domestically and in Europe should be enough to make Everton fans excited about their possible new signing.
Everton are currently in 9th place in the Premier League standings and has only scored 24 goals in 20 league matches this season. The lack of attacking threat going forward is a cause for concern which the signing of Tosun might address. They are finally set to possess an out-and-out goal-scorer in the final third which could help raise the game of Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin amongst others in the Everton starting line up.
It remains to be seen whether Cenk Tosun can be a success story at the Merseyside club or not in the near future.
