Latest reports from Turkish media outlet Haberturk indicates that Besiktas would be willing to sell some of their players in the January window to raise some funds to get out of the financial turmoil they are facing. One of the players who could be sold is Jeremain Lens, and the winger has been linked with a move to Leeds United.
The same report adds that the Whites are looking to make a formal offer for the in-form winger who has had a previous stint in English football. The Dutch winger had a short time with Sunderland where he made 24 appearances for them. A few weeks back reports (Sports Witness) came out that Leeds United’s scouts were present in attendance to watch him in action against Sarpsborg in the Europa League.
From the evidence of that game, the scouts would have been impressed as Lens inspired his team to a 3-2 win where he scored 2 and assisted the other goal. It is believed that the Turkish outfit would accept an offer of €5m for their 31-year-old winger.
The Whites currently sit on top of the table in the Championship so there might be an opinion that they don’t need new players to add firepower in January. But someone like Lens can really boost their chances further for promotion and given his experience; he can be a handy addition to the squad.
Lens is traditionally a right winger, but he can play anywhere across the final third with ease. Marcelo Bielsa currently has Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison as plausible options in that position. However, Hernandez would be 34 by next season, and Harrison is just on a season-long loan. Therefore signing a player like Lens would make sense in January.
However, the Dutch winger himself is 31, and that is going to be a significant drawback of this transfer move. However, the way Lens has been performing for Besiktas in Europe this season indicates that he can be a hit at Elland Road for the next 2-3 years at least.
We believe Bielsa should try to get this done given that the Turkish club are looking to sell him in January. Someone like Lens can have an instant impact into the Whites’ squad and given his wide range of experience, he should settle down quickly at Elland Road. Pablo Hernandez has been shifted to play in a more central role after the departure of Samuel Saiz and Lens would be a significant upgrade over the likes of Jack Harrison and Ezgjan Alioski to start from the wide regions.
