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(Not Ozyakup) Why this £6.3m Besiktas star could be an ideal addition for Newcastle United

Tolgay Arslan

Why Besiktas’ Tolgay Arslan Would Be A Brilliant Signing For Newcastle United

Premier League outfit Newcastle United are apparently linked with a move for Besiktas midfielder Tolgay Arslan. According to reports from Turkish sources, the Magpies are hugely interested in the services of the £6.3m-rated midfielder but face stiff competition from Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.

Arslan’s current contract with Besiktas expires in 2022 but he could leave the club this summer considering how impressive he has been in the Turkish Superlig this season.

The 27-year-old initially started his career in the Bundesliga but after failing to make it to the senior team of Borussia Dortmund, the midfielder moved to HSV in order to get more game time. However, following two full-seasons with die Rothosen, where he made 57 combined appearances during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 season, Arslan was replaced by former Fulham midfielder Lewis Holtby in the summer of 2015.

Following the acquisition of Holtby, Tolgay Arslan decided to move to Besiktas, where he’s finally managed to spark his career into life. Since joining the club, Arslan has already notched up over 100 competitive appearances for the Siyah Beyazlılar, during which he has garnished significant amount of experience in one of Europe’s most promising leagues.

This season, in particular, has been an important one for Tolgay Arslan who has proved to be an ever-present figure in the Besiktas midfield alongside Gary Medel and veteran Canadian midfielder Atiba Hutchinson. In fact, his rather impressive performances have somewhat held back Turkish starlet Oğuzhan Ozyakup from getting regular game time at Besiktas this season.

Known for his impressive passing range, Tolgay Arslan is undoubtedly a talented playmaker who can not only create chances for his team but also induce himself as a key component in the build-up phases. While one might compare him to current Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino, Arslan is much more energetic and fluid in the final third.

His ability to carry the ball around makes him a unique component in the midfield department while he can also thrive in half-spaces, much like Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

With head coach Rafa Benitez struggling to deal with the frequent injuries to Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle are in dire of a few midfielders in the upcoming transfer window.

Even though the Magpies boast of an array of midfielders such as Mikel Merino, Isaac Hayden and Mohamed Diame, at least one of the four midfielders is likely to leave the club this summer.

Isaac Hayden, in particular, has only proved to be a fringe player and is sliding down the pecking order at Newcastle this season. The 22-year-old English midfielder will likely be deemed as surplus to the requirements and signing Tolgay Arslan this summer could be a great move by Newcastle United.