Newcastle United are set to reignite their interest in Besiktas midfielder Tolgay Arslan next summer. According to recent reports, the Magpies are preparing a bid for the Turkish midfielder when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the season. However, they will face stiff competition from Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen in pursuit of the 27-year-old’s signature.
Arslan has been in sensational form for Besiktas this season which has caught the eyes of some European heavyweights. The Magpies were previously linked with the player during the January transfer window but a move failed to materialize back then. However, they will now rekindle their interest in the Turkish midfielder going into the summer off-season as Rafael Benitez looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new campaign.
The Turkish star played an integral role in helping Besiktas qualify into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League where they were knocked by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich over two legs in a disappointing 5-0 aggregate scoreline. Arslan has featured in 35 matches for Besiktas this season and has two assists to his name in all competitions so far.
The Tyneside club are currently sitting in the 13th position in the Premier League table with a tally of 32 points in 30 league matches. Rafael Benitez’s team still find themselves just five points above the drop zone and are in real danger of suffering the agony of being demoted to the English Championship at the end of the season. They are in dire need to bring in some fresh faces during the summer transfer period in their quest to push on and improve their league performance in the following campaign.
The addition of Arslan will undoubtedly bolster Rafael Benitez’s midfield options next season if the Magpies are successful in luring him to ply his trade at St. James Park. At 27, he still has his peak years ahead of him which the Tyneside outfit could look to utilise in the coming years. Arslan primarily operates as a holding midfielder but can also play in a more advanced role which makes him an ideal asset for any of his potential suitors.
The former Bundesliga ace has a wealth of experience playing football in Germany and Turkey but might need some time to adapt his game to the physicality and high intensity of the Premier League. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Arslan and whether he ends up moving to Tyneside in the near future.
