Beşiktaş intensifies transfer push in three key areas ahead of new season
Beşiktaş are accelerating their transfer activity on several fronts as the countdown to the new season begins. With pre-season training set to start on 27 June, the board has ramped up its efforts to reshape the squad in line with head coach Vincenzo Italiano’s requests, focusing especially on three priority positions.
The black-and-whites will kick off their preparations in Istanbul before travelling to Slovakia on Wednesday, 1 July for their pre-season camp. Italiano, who recently held detailed meetings with club president Serdal Adalı and football director Önder Özen, has made it clear that strengthening the goalkeeper position, left-back and left wing must come first. In addition, he has underlined that a new centre-forward signing should be completed as soon as possible to give the team enough time to integrate before competitive fixtures begin.
Following these talks, President Adalı and Özen have been engaged in an intensive round of negotiations with multiple clubs and representatives. Their aim is to deliver at least some of the requested reinforcements before the squad flies out to Slovakia, so that the new arrivals can join the full pre-season programme under Italiano’s guidance.
One of the headline targets in attack is Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović. The prolific forward, whose contract with Juventus has come to an end, is being pursued aggressively by Beşiktaş. Adalı is said to be working tirelessly to convince both the player and his entourage that Istanbul should be his next destination. Securing a forward of Vlahović’s calibre would not only boost Beşiktaş’s attack but also send a strong message about the club’s ambitions for the upcoming season, both domestically and in European competitions.
While Adalı leads the charge for a marquee striker, Önder Özen has turned his attention primarily to the defensive and left-sided areas that Italiano has highlighted. The search for a new goalkeeper, a left-sided centre-back and a left-back is being conducted in parallel, with several names already moving from scouting reports to concrete negotiations.
One of the key targets in goal is German keeper Alexander Nübel. Beşiktaş have already submitted an official offer to Bayern Munich for the 27-year-old. The German club are demanding a fee in the region of 10 million euros, and discussions are ongoing as the two sides attempt to find common ground on both the transfer fee and the payment structure. The Istanbul club view Nübel as a long-term solution between the posts, someone who can provide stability and leadership from the back.
At left-back, the focus is on Kassoum Ouattara, who currently plays for Monaco. The 21-year-old is seen as an energetic, modern full-back capable of contributing both defensively and in the attacking phase. Monaco are reportedly asking for around 12 million euros for the young defender, a figure that reflects his age, potential and current role in Ligue 1. Beşiktaş are working hard to lower the overall cost or agree on more favourable terms, such as bonuses and instalments, but they recognise that investing in a promising left-back could secure that position for many seasons.
On the left wing, negotiations have advanced significantly with Belgian international Leandro Trossard. The experienced wide player, who has proven himself at the highest levels, is considered an ideal fit for Italiano’s attacking philosophy. Talks with the player’s camp are at an advanced stage, and Beşiktaş are focusing first on convincing Trossard of the project, the role he would play and the club’s ambitions. Only once the player is fully on board will Beşiktaş sit down to negotiate a deal with his current club, Arsenal.
The club’s strategy for the coming week is clear: close at least two transfers as quickly as possible. The priority list is headed by the goalkeeper and left-back positions, both of which are seen as structural needs that can significantly influence the team’s overall balance. Securing a new shot-stopper and a reliable left-back early would also allow Italiano to shape his defensive line and pressing structure during the Slovakia camp.
Behind these headline names lies a broader plan to reshape the squad’s spine and left flank. Italiano wants a team that can build from the back with confidence, use the flanks effectively and maintain high intensity throughout the season. A ball-playing goalkeeper like Nübel, an attack-minded left-back such as Ouattara and a technically gifted winger like Trossard would collectively transform how Beşiktaş progress the ball and create chances from wide areas.
Timing is a crucial factor in all these moves. The technical staff are pushing to ensure that at least some of the new signings join before the start of the overseas camp on 1 July. The earlier arrivals are integrated, the more time Italiano has to implement tactical patterns, rehearse pressing triggers and develop on-field chemistry between the newcomers and the existing core of the squad. Delays could mean new players need to adapt on the fly during competitive matches, something the club wants to avoid after recent inconsistent seasons.
Financially, the combined costs of targets such as Nübel, Ouattara and Trossard, along with a potential deal for Vlahović, indicate that Beşiktaş are prepared to stretch their budget to support Italiano’s project. However, the board is also trying to balance immediate needs with longer-term sustainability. Structured deals, performance-related bonuses and potential player sales are all on the table as the club navigates the demands of the transfer market.
From a tactical standpoint, the positions being prioritised reveal a lot about how Italiano envisions the team. A commanding goalkeeper is essential for a high defensive line and proactive style, as he must sweep behind the defence and contribute to the build-up. A dynamic left-back complements this by providing width, overlapping runs and defensive coverage when the team loses the ball. On the left wing, a versatile player like Trossard can operate between the lines, cut inside to shoot or create, and open space for overlapping full-backs. Finally, a top-level centre-forward such as Vlahović would give Beşiktaş a reliable focal point, improving both finishing and hold-up play.
Beyond the starting XI, these signings would increase competition within the squad. Existing players in similar positions would need to raise their performances to secure minutes, which often leads to overall improvement. Italiano is known for demanding intensity and tactical discipline from his players, and a deeper, more balanced squad will allow him to rotate without a significant drop in quality, especially during busy fixture periods.
As the calendar edges closer to 27 June, the pressure on the Beşiktaş board continues to grow. Supporters are eager to see concrete progress in the transfer market and to witness a squad capable of challenging for the league title and performing better in Europe. The next week is set to be decisive: finalising deals, announcing new signings and ensuring they are ready to join the team before the Slovakia camp will shape the tone and expectations for the entire season.
In summary, Beşiktaş have embarked on an intense transfer drive focused on three critical zones: goalkeeper, left-back and left wing, with a major push also underway for a leading centre-forward. Negotiations for Alexander Nübel, Kassoum Ouattara and Leandro Trossard are ongoing, while Dušan Vlahović remains at the top of the wish list in attack. The club’s leadership is working around the clock to turn these targets into signed contracts, aiming to deliver at least two of these reinforcements in the coming days and hand Vincenzo Italiano the tools he needs to build a competitive, modern and ambitious Beşiktaş side.