Kartal’s left flank puzzle: Beşiktaş refine their winger shortlist under Italiano
Beşiktaş have shifted their summer strategy firmly towards strengthening the wings, and the picture on the left side of the attack is becoming clearer with each passing day. After solving the coaching issue by agreeing terms with Vincenzo Italiano, the club have now turned their full attention to building a squad that fits the Italian manager’s dynamic, high-intensity game model.
At the top of the current left wing shortlist stands a familiar name for Italiano: Jonathan Rowe. The English winger worked with the new Beşiktaş coach at Bologna, and his profile is seen as a near-perfect fit for the attacking patterns Italiano wants to implement. Rowe only joined Bologna last summer for a transfer fee of 17 million euros from Marseille, which underlines both his quality and his current market value.
Still just 23 years old, Rowe is regarded as one of the most promising wide players of his generation. His pace, ability to attack one-on-one and versatility across the front line make him attractive not only to Beşiktaş, but also to several other European clubs who are reportedly monitoring his situation. This competition naturally makes any deal complicated, especially given that Bologna are not under immediate pressure to sell.
Rowe is the third specialist left winger to be added to Beşiktaş’s list for that position. Before him, the club had already identified Davitashvili and Leandro Trossard as potential solutions for the left flank. All three share the ability to both score and create, yet they bring different stylistic nuances: Davitashvili with his direct dribbling, Trossard with his intelligence between the lines and experience at the top level, and Rowe with his explosive athleticism and familiarity with Italiano’s tactical demands.
Another serious candidate for the same role is Armand Laurienté of Sassuolo. The 24-year-old Frenchman is well known for his pace, powerful shooting and capacity to stretch defenses. Laurienté can operate either as a traditional touchline winger or drift inside as an inverted forward, something that provides flexibility in systems with a false nine or overlapping full-backs. His age profile and room for development make him an appealing mid-term investment as well as an immediate contributor.
Beşiktaş’s transfer planning on the wings is not limited to the left side. On the right flank, the club have already made several key decisions. The option to buy Cengiz Ünder will not be activated, and the board do not plan to continue with Milot Rashica either. This opens a sizeable gap on the right side of the attack, where Riccardo Orsolini had emerged as a prime target. Orsolini, another player from Bologna’s ranks, fits the profile of a goal-scoring right winger who can cut inside and act almost as a second striker.
However, the situation around Orsolini has taken a negative turn from Beşiktaş’s perspective. The Italian is now expected to sign a contract extension with Bologna, which would remove him from the market in the short term and force Beşiktaş to revisit their right-wing shortlist. For a club trying to build continuity alongside a new coach, losing such a target is more than a small setback.
Behind the scenes, decision-makers in Beşiktaş are juggling a complex equation: ambition versus budget. Some influential voices around the club argue that, if there is indeed a substantial transfer budget available, Beşiktaş should target top-tier young talents who can both elevate the team immediately and generate serious resale value. Names like Mika Godts for the left wing and Jarrod Bowen for the right side are often held up as examples of the kind of investments that could drastically raise the squad’s level.
Others take a more holistic view, pointing out that the team require reinforcements in several key positions, not just the flanks. Beyond the wings, Beşiktaş are also looking at a new goalkeeper, a centre-back, a left-back, a central midfielder and a centre-forward – and the expectation is that recruits in these roles should be good enough to start immediately. In that context, spending around 20 million euros on a single winger like Rowe is seen as a luxury the club may not realistically afford, especially when there are six or more positions in need of strengthening.
Because of this, the idea of exploring loan deals with options to buy is gaining ground. A temporary move for an expensive winger could allow Beşiktaş to test the player’s adaptation to the league and to Italiano’s system, while preserving financial flexibility for other areas of the squad. This strategy also helps reduce the risk of being locked into a long-term commitment with a player who may not deliver the expected impact.
There is also a clear tactical dimension to the winger search. Within the domestic league, physicality plays a decisive role, particularly in wide areas. Some analysts close to the club argue that Beşiktaş should specifically target taller wide players in the 1.84-1.88 metre range, in order to gain an aerial and physical advantage over opponents. In a competition where set pieces, back-post crosses and defensive duels are critical, such profiles are considered extremely valuable if top-tier technical quality cannot always be secured.
The debate is not just about names, but about squad building philosophy. Should Beşiktaş focus on technically refined, agile wingers who can unlock packed defenses? Or should they prioritize physically dominant, hard-working wide men who can cope with the intensity and physical battles of the league? Italiano’s previous teams showed a preference for high-energy, tactically disciplined wingers who press aggressively and can rapidly transition from defense to attack. That template is guiding the current search.
Beyond Rowe and Laurienté, scouting work has been conducted on a wider list of players, including profiles similar to Tajon Buchanan, Afonso Moreira, Alisson Santos and Newerton – pacey, athletic, development-oriented wingers who could be signed at reasonable fees and molded under Italiano’s coaching. The ideal scenario for Beşiktaş would be to secure at least two dynamic wingers to cover both flanks, providing depth and internal competition.
In parallel, there are proposals that the club should look to established markets for ready-made solutions in multiple positions at once. For example, some suggest building a spine by moving decisively in the German market: a left-back like Raphaël Guerreiro, who could reprise the role once played at Beşiktaş by Adriano, or a long-term solution in goal akin to Alexander Nübel, who could stabilize the position for years. In central defense, a profile similar to a disciplined, athletic Japanese centre-back such as Ko Itakura is often highlighted – not only for on-field solidity but also for the commercial potential of tapping into the Asian market.
In defensive midfield, the template is a ball-winner in the mold of João Palhinha: dominant in duels, disciplined positionally and capable of protecting the back line almost single-handedly. The theory is that with a strong defensive base and two high-quality wide players, Beşiktaş could dramatically reduce the number of goals conceded, control games better and become a genuine contender both domestically and in European competition.
All these ideas feed into a broader concern: time. There is a growing sense that if Beşiktaş do not align their transfer strategy with clear targets and contractual conditions that match the club’s long-term objectives, another season could slip away without tangible progress. The club cannot afford another year of short-term fixes and mid-season overhauls; the upcoming window is seen as a defining moment to build a coherent, competitive squad around Italiano.
As the left wing shortlist takes shape, the decisions on Rowe, Laurienté and the other names under consideration will reveal not only Beşiktaş’s financial capability, but also their sporting vision. Whether the club opt for a marquee signing, a clever loan, or a mix of promising young talents and experienced leaders, the success of this reconstruction will largely be measured on the flanks – where Kartal’s new era is quietly being drawn up.