Beşiktaş keep pushing in the transfer market: 3 more names on the shortlist after Salah
Beşiktaş are not planning to slow down after completing the blockbuster signing of Mohamed Salah. According to journalist Ogün Şahinoğlu, the club’s management has already shifted its focus to three new positions and several concrete targets as they look to build a squad capable of fighting for every trophy in the new season.
The black-and-whites are said to be working on reinforcements in three specific areas: centre-back, central midfield and right wing. The idea inside the club is clear: Salah’s arrival should be just the starting point of a comprehensive rebuild, not the end of the transfer campaign.
Defence: Leo Pereira and Igor Julio at the top of the list
For the heart of the defence, Beşiktaş have reportedly identified two main candidates. One of them is Leo Pereira, the left-footed Brazilian defender currently playing for Flamengo. Known for his aerial strength, aggression in duels and ability to start attacks from the back, Pereira is seen as a profile that could immediately raise the level of the back line.
The other name is Igor Julio from Brighton. The Brazilian centre-back, who has experience in European football and is comfortable both in a back four and a back three, offers versatility and composure on the ball. His ability to carry the ball out of defence and play under pressure fits the modern game and makes him an attractive option for a team that wants to build from the back.
Both players would bring different qualities: Pereira is more physical and dominant in the penalty area, while Igor is more of a ball-playing defender with tactical flexibility. This gives Beşiktaş some room to manoeuvre depending on financial conditions, negotiations with their clubs and the final tactical plan for the season.
Midfield: Joe Willock back on the radar
In midfield, Beşiktaş are once again looking at a familiar name. Joe Willock of Newcastle United has reportedly returned to the club’s agenda. The English midfielder had already been monitored in previous windows, and his profile still appeals to the technical staff.
Willock is a dynamic box-to-box player, capable of arriving in the penalty area, breaking lines with his runs and contributing both defensively and offensively. For a team that often struggles to connect defence and attack, such a profile could be decisive. His Premier League experience and physical attributes also match the intensity that Beşiktaş will need in domestic and European competitions.
Negotiating for Willock, however, would not be simple. Newcastle are not under pressure to sell, and English clubs generally demand high fees for key squad members. Beşiktaş would likely have to explore creative solutions, such as loan deals with options to buy or performance-based bonuses, to make a move realistic.
Right wing: Johan Bakayoko as the main target
Although Salah’s arrival already transforms Beşiktaş’s attacking potential, the club is also looking at another option for the right flank: Johan Bakayoko of RB Leipzig, a Belgian winger who has been attracting attention with his pace, dribbling skills and direct style.
Bakayoko is primarily a right winger who loves to cut inside, attack defenders one-on-one and create chances with crosses or shots from the edge of the box. Adding him to a squad that already features Salah would give the coach tactical flexibility: Salah could be used in different roles across the front line, while Bakayoko would offer depth, rotation options and a long-term investment.
At the same time, the interest in another right winger suggests Beşiktaş are planning for a long and demanding season. With league fixtures, domestic cups and potential European matches, having two high-quality options on the right would allow the coach to manage minutes, avoid burnout and keep competition within the squad high.
How these transfers would shape Beşiktaş’s style
If Beşiktaş manage to sign even two of the three planned reinforcements – a centre-back, a central midfielder and a right winger – the team’s structure could change significantly.
A new centre-back like Leo Pereira or Igor Julio would likely become a starter, allowing the coach to stabilise the defensive line and build consistent partnerships. This, in turn, would help the full-backs to push higher, knowing there is reliability behind them.
In midfield, a player like Willock would add verticality and energy. Instead of relying only on deep playmakers or holding midfielders, Beşiktaş could use his late runs into the box to support Salah and the other forwards, making the team less predictable and more difficult to defend against.
On the wings, the combination of Salah and potentially Bakayoko would create serious problems for opponents. Both are capable of beating their man, cutting inside and finishing, which forces rival defences to stay compact and opens space for overlapping full-backs and central runners.
Tactical expectations under the new coaching staff
With the new season approaching and the coach preparing for his first official tests, the club’s transfer strategy appears closely linked to a more proactive, attacking playing style. A ball-playing centre-back, a dynamic midfielder and explosive wingers fit well into a system based on pressing, quick transitions and controlled possession.
The coaching staff is believed to want a team that can defend higher up the pitch, force turnovers and immediately turn them into goal chances. Strong, mobile defenders like Igor or Pereira, supported by a hard-working midfielder like Willock, are key pieces for such a philosophy.
Financial and strategic aspects of the transfer plan
While the names on the list are ambitious, Beşiktaş also have to think strategically about budgets, squad balance and long-term planning. The big investment made for Salah means that every new transfer now must be carefully evaluated in terms of cost and potential resale value.
Leo Pereira and Igor Julio are at ages where they still have room to grow and could be sold later if they perform well. Willock, with Premier League exposure, is another player whose value could increase in a competitive environment. Bakayoko, as a young winger with international potential, fits the same profile.
This mix of star power (Salah) and players with upside (Pereira, Igor, Willock, Bakayoko) shows that the club is trying to build a squad that can be successful both on the pitch and in the transfer market over the next few years.
Competition and timing in the market
Another key factor is timing. The European transfer market is highly competitive, and players like Leo Pereira, Igor Julio, Willock and Bakayoko are unlikely to be short of suitors. Beşiktaş will have to move quickly and decisively if they want to turn interest into concrete agreements.
Pre-season and the early weeks of the league are crucial moments: the closer it gets to the end of the window, the higher the prices often rise, and the harder it becomes to integrate new signings. The management is therefore trying to finalise deals as early as possible so that the coach can work with a complete squad before the season fully kicks off.
Internal competition and impact on the current squad
New signings always mean more competition for places, and that is precisely what Beşiktaş are aiming for. Bringing in a new centre-back would put pressure on the existing defenders to improve. A high-profile midfielder like Willock would challenge the current options in the middle of the park, while another winger alongside Salah would raise the bar for the attackers already at the club.
This internal battle for starting spots is seen as healthy and necessary. The coaching staff want at least two strong options in each position to maintain intensity throughout the season and to be protected against injuries and suspensions.
What Beşiktaş fans can expect next
For now, Salah is the headline signing, but all signs point to Beşiktaş continuing their aggressive approach in the market. Negotiations for Leo Pereira, Igor Julio, Joe Willock and Johan Bakayoko may not all come to fruition, yet the club’s intention is to bring in at least one player for each of the three targeted positions.
If the management can execute this plan, supporters could see a very different Beşiktaş this season: more balanced at the back, more dynamic in midfield and even more dangerous in attack. The transfer window is still open, and in Beşiktaş, business is clearly far from over.