Everton lining up swoop for Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup nicknamed the ‘Turkish Zinedine Zidane’
EVERTON have been linked with Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup, labelled the 'Turkish Zinedine Zidane.'
But there could be competition from Arsenal.
The 25-year-old started his career in England with the Gunners but was sold for £400,000 in 2012.
Now Ozyakup is out of contract at the end of the season at Besiktas and would love the chance to move to the Premier League.
Turkish news outlet say the Istanbul club are hoping to get him to agree a new deal.
But this would include a release clause of around £9million.
Of course, so much depends on who takes over at Goodison Park with Sam Allardyce moving back into the frame.
It was former Turkey international Rıdvan Dilmen who gave elegant playmaker Ozyakup his Zidane tag.
SAM THE SAVIOUR Former England boss back in talks with Everton
Should Everton pursue their interest they could find competition from the Gunners as they look to cover the possible loss of Mesut Ozil.
They will have to pay almost 25 times the amount they flogged him for.
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Ozyakup played a huge role in Besiktas' fine Champions League campaign, and that could persuade Arsene Wenger to try and lure him back to the Emirates.
Besiktas, meanwhile, are currently locked in talks with the player and his representatives as they attempt to tie him down to a bumper new deal.
Elsewhere, reports in Italy claim that Fiorentina have entered the race for Everton's Henry Onyekuru.
The Nigerian international does not yet have a work permit to play in the UK and is currently impressing on loan at Belgian club Anderlecht.
The troubled Toffees face two crucial games this week.
First up former Goodison boss David Moyes brings his new team West Ham to Goodison Park and on Saturday Huddersfield Town are the visitors.