New winger target at Beşiktaş: focus shifts to Serie A and Matias Soule
Beşiktaş have reportedly opened a fresh chapter in their winger search, turning their attention to Serie A after revising the club’s transfer roadmap for the right flank. The Istanbul giants, who had been exploring several high-profile options, are now said to have identified Roma’s Argentine midfielder Matias Soule as a primary target for the right wing.
The black-and-whites had been locked in talks for Mohamed Salah, but those negotiations are now understood to be on hold. The deal has effectively been shelved for the time being, leading the club to reassess the market and look for a younger, more long-term solution on the wing. In that context, Soule has emerged as a serious candidate.
First contact with Roma
According to reports, Beşiktaş have already made initial contact with Roma to clarify the conditions of a potential transfer. The club’s management is believed to have asked about the overall framework of a deal, including transfer fee expectations, payment structure and the possibility of different formulas such as loan with an option to buy.
Soule, 23, is under contract with Roma until June 2029, which puts the Italian club in a strong negotiating position. Roma are reportedly in no rush to sell and will only consider offers that match their valuation of the player.
A versatile attacking option
One of the main reasons Beşiktaş are so interested in Soule is his versatility across the attacking line. While he is primarily used on the right wing, the left-footed Argentine can also operate as a number 10 and on the left side of the attack. This flexibility is highly valued by Beşiktaş, who are looking for players capable of covering multiple roles in a long, demanding season.
In modern football, especially in squads aiming to compete on several fronts, having attackers who can shift positions seamlessly is considered a major tactical advantage. Soule’s ability to drift inside, play between the lines or stretch the pitch on the flank fits well with the kind of dynamic, fluid attacking structure Beşiktaş are trying to build.
Roma’s steep price: 35 million euro threshold
The main obstacle in the deal is Roma’s valuation. The Italian club are said to be unwilling to evaluate offers below 35 million euro for Soule. That figure is not only the minimum they are prepared to discuss, but also roughly matches the player’s estimated market value at the moment.
For Beşiktaş, this creates a serious financial challenge. A straightforward cash deal at that level would likely be beyond the club’s traditional transfer budget, unless significant player sales or special payment plans are involved. The high fee also reflects the fact that Soule is seen as a key asset and a player entering his prime years, not a fringe or rotational option.
Competition from Serie A rivals: Milan and Fiorentina
The race for Soule is not limited to Beşiktaş. Both Milan and Fiorentina are reportedly monitoring the Argentine closely. These two Serie A clubs have been following his development and are expected to keep track of any movement around his transfer situation.
Interest from within the same league is a major complicating factor for Beşiktaş. Milan and Fiorentina can offer Soule continuity in Italian football, a familiar environment, and potentially European competition on a consistent basis. Moreover, they may find it easier to meet Roma’s financial demands, either through direct transfer fees or creative swap deals involving players already established in Serie A.
Despite all this, reports indicate that Beşiktaş have not withdrawn and are continuing talks, looking for a formula that could make the move realistic.
Impressive numbers at Roma: 25 goal contributions
Since joining Roma in July 2024, Matias Soule has put together solid attacking statistics. The Argentine has featured in 81 official matches for the club, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists. With 25 direct goal contributions, he has shown he can influence the game both as a finisher and a creator.
These figures are particularly significant considering his age and the level of competition in Serie A and European tournaments. For a 23-year-old, such numbers hint at a player who is steadily progressing and still has room for growth. For Beşiktaş, who need a right winger capable of both scoring and assisting, Soule’s output fits the profile they are seeking.
Set-piece threat and left-footed quality
Another element that makes Soule attractive is his prowess on set pieces. Possessing a strong and technically gifted left foot, he is comfortable taking free kicks and corners. His ability to deliver accurate balls into the box, as well as threaten directly from free kicks around the edge of the area, adds a valuable dimension to any attack.
Beyond dead-ball situations, Soule is also known for his shots from outside the box. His willingness to attempt long-range efforts forces defences to step out and close him down, creating spaces for teammates. This combination of creativity, goal threat and variety in attacking actions makes him more than just a traditional winger hugging the touchline.
From Velez to Juventus and then Roma: a rapid rise
Soule’s journey to the top level of European football began in Argentina. While playing for Velez in 2019, he caught the eye of Juventus scouts. The Italian giants moved quickly, bringing him to Italy and integrating him into their youth setup.
Developing within the Juventus academy, Soule refined his tactical understanding and adapted to European football. Ahead of the 2024-2025 season, Roma invested heavily in his potential, paying 28 million euro to secure his signature. That sizeable fee illustrated how highly he was rated in Italy and why Roma now feel justified in demanding a premium for any future sale.
What Soule would bring to Beşiktaş’s right wing
From a tactical standpoint, Soule is the kind of profile Beşiktaş have lacked on the right in recent years. He combines creativity between the lines with the ability to beat his man in one-on-one situations. Cutting in from the right onto his stronger left foot, he can aim for curled shots to the far corner, look for through balls to the striker, or switch play to the opposite flank.
His presence would enable Beşiktaş to vary their attacking patterns: overlaps from the right-back, underlapping runs from the midfielders, and frequent positional interchanges with the number 10. Coaches value such players because they can break low blocks with individual skill or intelligent passing, a recurring problem for big clubs facing deep-defending opponents.
Financial realism: how can Beşiktaş structure a deal?
The core question is whether Beşiktaş can realistically afford Soule. A direct 35 million euro transfer appears difficult under standard circumstances. To make a move possible, several scenarios might come into play:
– A multi-year payment plan with instalments, easing short-term pressure on the budget.
– A loan with an obligation or option to buy, possibly triggered by performance-related conditions.
– Inclusion of one or more Beşiktaş players in a swap arrangement to reduce the cash component.
– Bonuses linked to appearances, goals, European qualification or future resale, allowing Roma to benefit from Soule’s potential further development.
Even with such mechanisms, competing with Italian clubs for a player already settled in Serie A will not be easy. Beşiktaş would likely need to present not just a strong financial package, but also a clear sporting project that convinces the player and his representatives.
Strategic shift after pausing the Salah pursuit
Putting the Salah negotiations on hold marks a notable shift in strategy. Beşiktaş appear to be moving away from short-term, veteran superstar solutions toward younger, resaleable assets who can contribute over several seasons. While a player like Salah would offer instant global impact, Soule represents a longer-term investment whose value could increase both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
This approach fits with broader trends in European football, where clubs outside the absolute financial elite try to balance sporting ambition with sustainability. Bringing in a 23-year-old with years ahead of him is more in line with building a core that can grow together, rather than making isolated marquee signings.
Impact on the current right-wing pecking order
A successful move for Soule would have direct consequences for Beşiktaş’s existing wide players. The club have been widely criticised for underperforming options on the right flank, with certain names regularly singled out by the fanbase. Bringing in a high-profile, versatile winger would effectively reset the hierarchy on that side of the pitch.
Competition for places could push current players to elevate their performance, but it could also lead to departures. Beşiktaş may look to offload one or more wingers to create room in both the squad and the wage bill. For a club planning to invest heavily in a new star for the right, trimming what are seen as “unsuccessful” or “dispensable” options would be a logical part of the strategy.
How Soule fits Beşiktaş’s long-term project
Beşiktaş are in a phase where squad planning, age profiles and potential resale values are increasingly important. Soule aligns almost perfectly with that vision: he is still young, already experienced at a high level, and capable of playing in multiple attacking positions. Should he perform well in Istanbul, he could either become a long-term cornerstone of the team or, at some point, generate a significant transfer fee.
Moreover, signing a player developed at Juventus and refined at Roma would send a signal about the club’s ambitions. It would demonstrate that Beşiktaş are not only targeting aging stars or free transfers, but are willing to compete for emerging talents who are already established in major European leagues.
Outlook: negotiations likely to be complex and lengthy
For now, the situation remains at an early stage. Beşiktaş have made their first approaches to Roma and are studying the financial and sporting parameters of a potential deal. Roma’s firm stance on the 35 million euro mark, along with interest from Milan and Fiorentina, suggests that any negotiations will be complicated and drawn out.
Still, the very fact that Beşiktaş are pushing for a player of Soule’s calibre indicates a clear intention: to resolve the long-standing issues on the right wing with a high-impact, long-term solution. If the club can find common ground with Roma and convince the player, Matias Soule could become one of the most notable transfers of the upcoming window for both Beşiktaş and Turkish football as a whole.