Beşiktaş transfer agenda: Trossard in pole position, Laurienté as alternative
According to journalist Sercan Dikme, the transfer roadmap at Beşiktaş is becoming clearer, especially on the left wing. Dikme underlines that the information he shares is based on solid, confirmed sources and not on speculation.
Two names are currently at the top of Beşiktaş’s list for the left flank: Armand Laurienté and Leandro Trossard. At this stage, the Trossard option is said to be slightly ahead of Laurienté.
Trossard wants Beşiktaş, talks with Arsenal advanced
Leandro Trossard has reportedly given positive signals about joining Beşiktaş. The Belgian winger is keen on the move, and negotiations between Beşiktaş and Arsenal are described as being close to a full agreement.
The transfer fee being discussed is around 20 million euros. This is a substantial investment for Beşiktaş, but the club’s management believes Trossard’s quality and experience could justify the outlay. A key factor in the talks is the strong relationship between Serdal Adalı and Arsenal’s hierarchy, which is helping to keep negotiations constructive.
Trossard is currently away with his national team at the World Cup, which naturally slows down the process. The expectation within the club is that the transfer will reach a definitive stage once the World Cup concludes. Despite a few remaining details to iron out, both Trossard and his representatives are said to view Beşiktaş very favorably, and the outstanding issues are considered solvable rather than deal-breaking.
Laurienté already has an agreement with Beşiktaş
While Trossard is clearly the priority, Beşiktaş has not stood still with its alternative. The club has reached a personal agreement with Armand Laurienté. The player himself is personally involved in the negotiations with his current club, taking an active role in trying to facilitate a deal.
This creates an interesting dynamic: Beşiktaş has a verbal green light from Laurienté, but is deliberately keeping him as the secondary option behind Trossard. If, for any reason, the Trossard transfer collapses, the black-and-whites intend to move swiftly to finalize Laurienté.
From a sporting perspective, both players would provide pace, one-on-one ability and goal threat from the left, but Trossard’s top-league and international experience places him half a step ahead in the club’s internal ranking.
Italiano approves both signings, President focuses on Trossard
Head coach Vincenzo Italiano has reportedly given full approval for both targets. He sees both Trossard and Laurienté as suitable for his tactical plans and has left the final decision to the club’s financial and strategic considerations.
Information from within the club indicates that the club president is concentrating his efforts primarily on Trossard. The management’s internal priority list is clear: complete the Trossard deal if at all possible; if conditions shift unfavorably, switch immediately to Laurienté without losing time.
This dual-track strategy is designed to ensure Beşiktaş do not emerge from the window empty-handed in a key position, while still aiming as high as their budget and negotiations allow.
National star on Beşiktaş radar moves closer to Trabzonspor
Parallel to the left-wing search, another major talking point around Beşiktaş is a domestic star who had been on the club’s radar but is now on the verge of joining Trabzonspor. The player had long been mentioned as an ideal fit for Beşiktaş, particularly because of his age profile, potential resale value and ability to play in advanced roles.
However, Trabzonspor have acted more decisively in this race. They are close to completing what would be their tenth signing of the window, demonstrating once again how aggressively they are working in the market. For many observers, the fact that this player is heading to Trabzonspor is seen as a missed opportunity for Beşiktaş, both sportingly and strategically.
Second test in Slovakia camp
While the transfer market dominates the headlines, Beşiktaş are also continuing their on-field preparations. The team is in Slovakia for a pre-season training camp and is set to play its second friendly match there.
These games are important for Vincenzo Italiano to evaluate the current squad, assess which positions must be strengthened urgently, and see how potential new signings could fit into his tactical structure. Performances in these matches are also shaping the club’s decisions on who might be loaned out, sold, or kept as part of the rotation.
Fan frustration boils over regarding transfer policy
On the supporter side, frustration with the club’s transfer operations is palpable. Some fans are extremely skeptical about certain incoming players, especially signings perceived as unproven or coming from lower divisions.
There is sharp criticism towards the decision to bring in a player described as “İlhan Fakılı” from the second division. Detractors claim that if he starts poorly, he will be whistled and verbally abused by the third match. The belief among these fans is that Beşiktaş is taking on too much risk with players they label as “second-division gambles” or “injury-prone” options, rather than targeting more established talents.
Others highlight how Trabzonspor regularly manage to unearth hidden gems, such as a left-back from Cape Verde who is also capable of playing as a number ten. These fans ask why Beşiktaş are not equally effective in scouting undervalued markets and instead stick to the same narrow pool of familiar names.
Harsh words for the current management
The current board is under heavy fire from some sections of the fanbase, who call this the most short-sighted administration in the club’s modern history. The criticism centers on what is perceived as a lack of vision, slow decision-making and failure to capitalize on clear transfer opportunities.
One of the loudest complaints concerns Aral Şimşir. For months, fans have been calling for his signing, arguing that he fits exactly what the squad needs. Instead, the club chose to bring in a player from France’s second division, who previously played for Kayserispor. On the very same day, Trabzonspor completed their tenth transfer by securing Aral Şimşir, which many interpret as a brutal illustration of the difference in ambition and decisiveness between the two clubs.
Trabzonspor are also said to be on the verge of signing a right winger from Benfica, Prestiani, seen by many as another statement move. In contrast, Beşiktaş’s transfer activity is perceived as slow, reactive and lacking a clear strategy.
Comparison with rivals: lessons from Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe
The comparison with title rivals is a recurring theme. Supporters insist that Beşiktaş’s executives should study how Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe conduct their transfer business: fast, efficient, and often with a clear tactical plan in mind.
A common accusation is that “our rivals complete a transfer in one day, while we need a month to finalize a single deal.” This perception fuels the narrative that Beşiktaş risk falling behind before the season even starts. Every delayed or failed negotiation is seen as further proof that the current leadership lacks the competence and authority needed to operate at the highest level.
Some fingers are specifically pointed at figures such as Önder, openly accused of having allegiances elsewhere and therefore not acting in Beşiktaş’s best interests, and at Serdal Adalı, portrayed by critics as unable to close difficult deals despite his connections.
Aral Şimşir case as symbol of missed opportunities
The saga around Aral Şimşir has become almost symbolic for discontented fans. Many argue that the player could have been signed for around 12 million euros, a fee they consider reasonable for his talent and potential.
In their view, by hesitating and ultimately missing out, the club has lost both time and money. They contend that Beşiktaş have allowed an excellent player to slip away to a direct competitor, strengthening a rival while leaving their own squad without a much-needed reinforcement.
This situation reinforces a broader fear: if the club repeatedly fails to act at the right moment, it risks becoming a team that lives off the leftovers of its competitors, rather than driving the market itself.
Tactical perspective: why the left wing matters so much
From a purely footballing standpoint, the obsession with the left wing and with creative attacking players is understandable. Under Vincenzo Italiano, wide players are expected to contribute not just in build-up and crossing, but also by cutting inside, finishing attacks, and pressing aggressively.
A player like Trossard would bring Premier League-level experience, versatility (he can play across the front line and even as an attacking midfielder) and immediate end product in terms of goals and assists. Laurienté, meanwhile, offers explosive pace, dribbling and the ability to stretch defenses, which could open space for central attackers and overlapping full-backs.
For Beşiktaş, getting this signing right is not just about names or fan excitement-it directly affects how dangerous the team can be in the final third and how effectively Italiano’s pressing and transition game can function.
Financial and strategic balancing act
Behind the scenes, the club must balance sporting ambition with financial realism. A 20 million euro fee for Trossard plus wages and bonuses is a serious commitment. The board has to consider potential resale value, age profile, and the implications for future budgets.
Opting for Laurienté might mean a lower initial fee and potentially higher resale upside, but also a greater adaptation risk and less immediate leadership in the dressing room. This is why Beşiktaş are running parallel tracks: pushing hard for a proven star while keeping a promising alternative within reach.
What complicates matters is the pressure of time. Each day lost in negotiations is a day less for the player to adapt to Italiano’s system and for the squad to develop cohesion before competitive fixtures begin.
What Beşiktaş need in the coming weeks
For Beşiktaş to turn this transfer window into a success rather than a source of division, several steps are crucial in the short term:
1. Clarity on Trossard: Either close the deal swiftly after the World Cup or move decisively to Laurienté without delay. Lingering uncertainty will only increase pressure on everyone involved.
2. A coherent plan for domestic talents: Cases like Aral Şimşir show the cost of hesitation. Identifying and securing standout domestic players early should be a priority.
3. Better communication with supporters: Explaining the reasoning behind transfer decisions, financial limits and long-term strategy could ease some of the tension and reduce misinformation.
4. Smart use of the Slovakia camp: Using pre-season matches to precisely identify gaps in the squad will help avoid panic buys late in the window.
5. Decisive, not reactive, market behavior: Instead of chasing trends set by rivals, Beşiktaş must return to being a club that sets its own agenda, discovers undervalued talents and closes deals efficiently.
The coming weeks will be decisive for shaping both the squad and the perception of this management. Whether the story of this transfer window is remembered for landing a marquee name like Trossard, cleverly securing Laurienté, or missing out on key targets will depend on how quickly and coherently Beşiktaş act from this point on.