Double move from Sergen Yalçın: Beşiktaş push for Luis Henrique and Davitashvili
Beşiktaş are preparing an ambitious overhaul on the wings ahead of next season, and head coach Sergen Yalçın has put together a clear two-pronged plan. At the top of his shortlist stand two familiar names: Inter’s Brazilian wide man Luis Henrique and Saint-Etienne’s Georgian left winger Zuriko Davitashvili. Both players had already been monitored in previous windows, and once again they are emerging as priority targets for the black-and-whites.
The Istanbul club’s technical staff believe that strengthening the flanks is essential to make the team faster, more direct and more unpredictable in the final third. Yalçın, who favors dynamic, attack-minded football, wants wingers who not only stretch the pitch but also contribute in pressing and transitions. In this context, Henrique and Davitashvili are seen as profiles that could dramatically raise Beşiktaş’s offensive ceiling.
The Henrique pursuit and the Dumfries obstacle
Beşiktaş came close to a breakthrough for Luis Henrique during the winter transfer window. The Turkish side held intense talks with Inter, exploring options ranging from a permanent transfer to various loan formulas. However, negotiations stalled when Denzel Dumfries picked up an injury, forcing the Italian club to reconsider any outgoing moves on the right side.
With Dumfries sidelined, Inter suddenly needed additional cover in wide areas, and the management opted to put the brakes on Henrique’s potential departure. This situation effectively pushed Beşiktaş’s plans “uphill”, as the Italian side raised the bar and adopted a more rigid stance in discussions.
Yalçın’s admiration for Henrique
Despite that setback, Sergen Yalçın has not lost interest. On the contrary, his appreciation for the Brazilian has grown. Henrique, who has recently fallen down the pecking order and become more of a rotation option at Inter, fits Yalçın’s idea of a modern wide player: technically clean, capable of carrying the ball at speed, and comfortable both hugging the touchline and drifting into half-spaces.
Reports around the club indicate that Yalçın views Henrique as a player who could transform Beşiktaş’s attacking patterns. The coach believes that, in a team where he would be given more responsibility and freedom, the 24-year-old could deliver far more than what his current numbers in Serie A might suggest.
Inter’s financial expectations
For now, the main obstacle remains Inter’s valuation. The Italian giants signed Luis Henrique from Marseille for 23 million euros and are not willing to accept a significant loss. Their current stance is to demand at least 20 million euros in transfer fee for the Brazilian.
Beşiktaş, aware of these financial realities, are exploring different routes to make a deal more feasible. Possibilities include a structured deal with installments, bonuses linked to performance and team achievements, or even an initial loan with an obligation or option to buy. However, closing such a transfer would still require a major financial effort from the Turkish club or the involvement of strategic partners.
Henrique’s numbers at Inter
Henrique’s current contract with Inter runs until 2030, which strengthens the Italian club’s hand at the negotiating table. This season, he has made 38 appearances in all competitions, registering 1 goal and 3 assists. On paper, these figures may look modest for an attacking player, but staff members at Beşiktaş interpret them in context.
Much of Henrique’s playing time has come off the bench or in a rotational role, often in tactical setups not entirely tailored to his strengths. The belief in Istanbul is that a more central role, with consistent starts and clear attacking responsibilities, would unlock a different level of productivity from the winger.
Renewed push for Zuriko Davitashvili
While work continues on the Henrique front, Beşiktaş are also preparing to sit down once again for Zuriko Davitashvili. The Georgian winger, currently playing in France’s second division with Saint-Etienne, remains a key target on the left flank. The plan is a “double move”: landing at least one of the two, but ideally reshaping both sides of the attack.
Davitashvili is reportedly open to a move, as he has been actively looking at options beyond France and is believed to be listening to offers from England as well. This makes the competition for his signature more intense, but Beşiktaş have already established contact with the player and his entourage, positioning themselves as a serious destination.
Saint-Etienne’s stance and negotiation strategy
On the French side, Saint-Etienne are in no rush. The club know they have a valuable asset on their hands and are in no mood to accept a cut-price deal. Their approach is to wait, evaluate all offers and only move when they consider the proposal adequate both financially and in terms of timing.
For Beşiktaş, this means patience and a smart negotiation strategy will be crucial. The Istanbul club are working on a package that could include a fixed fee, performance-related bonuses and possibly a sell-on clause, which might appeal to Saint-Etienne’s long-term interests. The challenge will be to strike a balance that satisfies the French side while staying within Beşiktaş’s budgetary framework.
Davitashvili’s profile and international record
Zuriko Davitashvili currently has an estimated market value of 10 million euros, and his numbers at international level underline his potential. For the Georgia national team, he has collected 54 caps and scored 7 goals, a notable return for a wide player who often starts from the left and cuts inside to his stronger foot.
His style can be summed up as direct and fearless: Davitashvili likes to attack full-backs one-on-one, is not afraid to shoot from distance and contributes with aggressive pressing when out of possession. Beşiktaş see him as a winger who could immediately impact the starting XI while still having room to grow and increase in value.
Why Beşiktaş are prioritising the wings
The double move for Henrique and Davitashvili is not just about adding big names; it is part of a broader tactical adjustment. Under Yalçın, Beşiktaş want to increase their pace on the counter, improve chance creation from wide areas and bring more variety to their attacking patterns. In recent seasons, the team have at times struggled to break down compact defences, often relying heavily on central channels.
By adding explosive, technically gifted wingers, Yalçın aims to stretch opponents horizontally, creating more space for midfielders and strikers between the lines. The idea is to combine vertical runs behind the defence with quick interchanges in the half-spaces, making Beşiktaş less predictable and more dangerous both in settled attacks and transitions.
Potential impact on the current squad
If one or both transfers materialise, they will inevitably reshape the hierarchy within the squad. Some existing wingers and attacking midfielders could see their minutes reduced or be shifted into alternative roles. Internal competition is likely to intensify, which is exactly what the technical staff are aiming for: a squad where no position is guaranteed and training intensity remains high.
At the same time, adding players with international pedigree such as Henrique and Davitashvili could raise overall standards in the dressing room. Their presence would not only boost quality on matchdays, but also serve as a reference point for younger talents emerging from the club’s academy, showing the level required to succeed at the highest stage.
Financial balance and long-term planning
From a financial perspective, Beşiktaş must tread carefully. Pursuing a player priced at 20 million euros and another valued at around 10 million euros is a bold statement for any club. That is why the board is examining different structures to spread costs over several seasons and align potential deals with the club’s broader sustainability plan.
One of the strategic arguments in favour of these moves is resale value. Both Henrique and Davitashvili are in an age bracket where, if they perform at a high level in Turkey and European competitions, they could later be sold on for significant sums. The club are not only thinking about immediate sporting gains but also about building assets that could generate future income.
Tactical fit: how Yalçın could use them
On the pitch, Yalçın’s staff have already started to map out how the pair might fit into different systems. In a classic 4-2-3-1, Henrique could occupy the right wing, providing width and deep runs, while Davitashvili could start on the left, cutting inside to combine with the central striker and attacking midfielder. In a 4-3-3, both would have even more license to stay high and wide, stretching the opposition backline.
There is also scope for in-game flexibility. Henrique has the attributes to operate as an inverted wide forward or even as a wing-back in more adventurous setups, while Davitashvili’s work rate and stamina allow him to contribute defensively against teams that dominate possession. This tactical versatility is one of the reasons Yalçın is pushing strongly for their arrival.
Competition from abroad and transfer window dynamics
Beşiktaş are fully aware they are not alone in their interest. Clubs from England have already been mentioned in the race for Davitashvili, while players in Henrique’s profile are always monitored by teams across Europe looking for attacking reinforcements. Timing could be decisive: moving early in the transfer window might give Beşiktaş a competitive edge before auctions drive prices higher.
The black-and-whites’ sporting project, potential European participation and guarantee of regular playing time will be the main selling points in talks with the players. For many footballers, becoming a key figure at a historic club and competing in front of passionate supporters remains a powerful incentive.
Internal decisions: Toure’s return and other choices
Alongside these external targets, internal decisions are also shaping the new season’s blueprint. Toure is set to return to the starting eleven, a move that should provide additional balance and physical presence in the team’s structure. At the same time, the technical staff have reportedly reached a clear verdict regarding Oh, with the decision around his role moving forward now well defined.
These internal adjustments, combined with the pursuit of Henrique and Davitashvili, indicate that Beşiktaş are entering a phase of calculated but significant reconstruction. The aim is not a complete revolution, but a targeted strengthening in key areas to give Sergen Yalçın the tools he needs to execute his footballing vision.
The road ahead
As the transfer window approaches, the coming weeks will be decisive. Beşiktaş’s management will need to balance ambition with pragmatism, pushing hard in negotiations while staying within financial limits. The double move for Luis Henrique and Zuriko Davitashvili represents both a sporting opportunity and a test of the club’s ability to close complex, high-level deals.
What is clear is that Yalçın and his staff see the wings as the engine room of a new-look Beşiktaş. If at least one of these operations is completed, and ideally both, the black-and-whites could take a significant step towards building a faster, more aggressive and more competitive team for the new season.