Beşiktaş’s insistence on Davitashvili: Georgian winger remains priority target
Beşiktaş have put Zuriko Davitashvili back at the top of their transfer shortlist, with the Georgian star once again emerging as a main target for the left wing. The Istanbul powerhouse tried to secure his signature in the previous summer window but were unable to reach an agreement. Despite that setback, the black-and-whites have never fully dropped his name from their agenda and are now preparing a renewed push.
Club officials are ready to reopen negotiations both with the player and his current team, French side Saint-Étienne. The plan is to move early in the upcoming transfer period to avoid a repeat of last summer, when the talks dragged on and ultimately collapsed. This time, Beşiktaş want a clear, well-structured proposal on the table, in line with the financial conditions of both clubs.
Davitashvili is enjoying an outstanding season in France. Wearing the Saint-Étienne shirt, the 23-year-old has produced 12 goals and 4 assists, underlining his efficiency in the final third and confirming his development as a decisive attacking player. His performances have been instrumental in the club’s push for promotion, and he is expected to help the team seal their return to Ligue 1.
According to the current plan, the Georgian winger intends to complete the job in France by guiding Saint-Étienne back to the top division and then move on to a new challenge. Internally, he is said to be open to a transfer once the season ends, provided the right project and financial package arrive on his table. This is exactly where Beşiktaş hope to step in.
Davitashvili’s contract with Saint-Étienne runs until 2028, which means the French club hold a strong bargaining position. They are under no pressure to sell and can demand a significant fee for their in-form attacker. The player’s current market value is estimated at around 10 million euros, a figure that sets the baseline for any serious negotiation. Beşiktaş will likely need to be creative, possibly exploring structured payments, bonuses or performance-based clauses to make the deal feasible.
One of the biggest reasons Beşiktaş are so persistent is Davitashvili’s versatility. Although primarily used as a left winger, he is comfortable on both flanks and can also be deployed in advanced midfield roles. This tactical flexibility is extremely valuable for a squad that wants to rotate between different systems without losing balance. He can stretch defenses from the touchline, cut inside to shoot with his stronger foot, or slip between the lines as an attacking midfielder.
From Beşiktaş’s perspective, the left wing has been a problem area for some time. Constant changes of personnel, short-term solutions and injuries have prevented the team from establishing a settled, high-impact option in that position. The sporting management is therefore looking not just for depth, but for a long-term cornerstone who can become a reference point in the attacking line. Davitashvili is viewed as a player who can fill that role for years, with both resale potential and immediate on-pitch impact.
The Georgian international’s profile also fits the broader strategy of refreshing the squad with energetic, technically skilled players in their early-to-mid twenties. Beşiktaş want to build a core group that can grow together, compete domestically for the title and make a consistent impact in European competitions. In that context, signing a winger who already delivers double figures in goals while still having room to improve is seen as a strategic move, not just a market opportunity.
Financially, any transfer of this magnitude will require careful planning. Beşiktaş must balance the need to strengthen the squad with the realities of budget constraints and profitability rules. This could lead to the sale of one or two existing players, or to the restructuring of some contracts to create room for Davitashvili’s salary and amortized transfer fee. The club’s management is aware that paying near his full market value means they need to be confident he will become a key player, not a rotation option.
On the player’s side, the appeal of Beşiktaş is clear. Playing in front of one of the most passionate fan bases in Europe, fighting for trophies every season and having the chance to showcase his talent in continental competitions are all strong incentives. Istanbul also offers a high-profile stage where standout performances are quickly noticed across Europe, which could benefit his long-term career ambitions.
Tactically, Davitashvili could reshape Beşiktaş’s attacking structure. On the left, his ability to drive at defenders one-on-one, attack the far post and combine in tight spaces would bring variety to a frontline that at times looks too predictable. On the right, he could cut inside onto his stronger foot, opening lanes for overlapping full-backs and creating shooting positions around the edge of the box. In central zones, his vision and ball control would help link midfield and attack, especially against deep defensive blocks.
His current numbers in France suggest he is not just a dribbler, but also a player with end product. Twelve goals and four assists in a single campaign highlight not only his finishing but also his timing of runs into the box and his decision-making in the final third. For Beşiktaş, who have occasionally struggled to convert dominance into goals, adding a wide player with such efficiency could be a game-changer.
Competition for his signature is a realistic possibility. A winger producing those statistics, still under a long contract and contributing heavily to promotion hopes, will inevitably attract attention from other clubs in Europe’s top five leagues. This is another reason why Beşiktaş are keen to move early and use their direct contact with the player’s camp to understand his priorities and present a clear, convincing sporting project.
In the coming weeks, the focus for Davitashvili will remain on finishing the season strongly with Saint-Étienne and securing the long-awaited return to Ligue 1. Once that objective is achieved or the campaign concludes, the transfer picture will become clearer. At that point, Beşiktaş are expected to formalize their interest with concrete offers and structured negotiations.
For now, one thing is certain: the Georgian winger is not just one name among many. Within Beşiktaş, Zuriko Davitashvili is viewed as a primary target for the left flank and a potential cornerstone of the team’s next cycle. The club’s insistence on him, despite last summer’s failure, underlines how strongly they believe he can transform their attacking options and become one of the standout foreign players in the league.