Round 3 for Davitashvili: Beşiktaş prepare new move for Georgian star
Beşiktaş are once again going all‑in for Zuriko Davitashvili. After failing to land the Georgian winger in both the summer and winter transfer windows last season, the black‑and‑whites are ready to reopen talks and push the limits to finally get the deal done.
The Istanbul club had already made serious efforts for Davitashvili in the previous campaign, submitting offers in both windows. Each time, French side Saint‑Étienne turned them down, insisting the player was non‑transferable while the club chased promotion to Ligue 1. Despite those rejections, Beşiktaş have not taken the player off their agenda and are now preparing for what is effectively a third round of negotiations.
Left wing is a priority for Serdal Adalı
Within Beşiktaş’s transfer strategy, the left flank has been identified as one of the most crucial positions to strengthen. Club president Serdal Adalı views this area as a key puzzle piece in building a more dynamic and dangerous attacking line for the new season.
For weeks, Leandro Trossard has been at the top of Beşiktaş’s wish list for the left wing. However, regardless of the Belgian’s situation, Davitashvili continues to rank among the primary candidates. In internal planning meetings, his name remains firmly in the first tier of targets, reflecting how highly the technical staff rate his profile.
Previous bids and Saint‑Étienne’s resistance
Last season, Beşiktaş put substantial money on the table for Davitashvili. During the winter window, the club were prepared to invest around 20 million euros to secure his services. Despite the size of that offer, Saint‑Étienne once again refused to negotiate, citing their ambition of returning to the French top flight as the main reason to keep the player.
At the time, the French side were fully focused on promotion from Ligue 2 and considered the Georgian international one of their most important assets. Their stance was clear: as long as the dream of Ligue 1 was alive, they would not weaken the squad by selling a key attacking piece, no matter how attractive the proposals.
Promotion bid collapses, scenario changes
The season, however, did not end the way Saint‑Étienne had hoped. The historic French club finished third in Ligue 2 and had to go through the play‑offs in order to reach the top division. In the decisive final, they faced Nice and failed to get the result they needed, missing out on promotion and remaining in Ligue 2.
This outcome has potentially changed the dynamics of any future transfer talks. Saint‑Étienne’s main justification for blocking Davitashvili’s transfer was their Ligue 1 target. Now that they are forced to spend at least another year in the second tier, their sporting and financial strategies may need to be adjusted.
Beşiktaş are well aware of this shift in circumstances. The club’s management believe that staying in Ligue 2 could push Saint‑Étienne to reconsider high‑value offers, especially if they need income to balance their budget or rebuild the squad for another promotion challenge.
Davitashvili’s impressive season
Zuriko Davitashvili’s performances last season only strengthened Beşiktaş’s conviction that he is worth the effort. Over the course of the campaign, the Georgian winger delivered a standout year, recording 16 goals and 5 assists in all competitions.
These numbers do not just reflect pure productivity; they also highlight his importance within Saint‑Étienne’s attacking structure. Regularly involved in decisive phases of play, Davitashvili became one of the main references in the final third, combining pace, one‑on‑one ability, and a strong finishing touch from wide areas and half‑spaces.
Such a profile is exactly what Beşiktaş are looking for on the left wing: a player who can both score and create, stretch defenses, and offer direct penetration against low blocks, which they frequently encounter in domestic competition.
New negotiations: Beşiktaş aiming to break Saint‑Étienne’s resistance
Despite seeing at least one bid of around 20 million euros rejected in the previous window, Beşiktaş are determined to sit back at the table. Their plan is to use Saint‑Étienne’s failure to reach Ligue 1 as leverage in negotiations, trying to turn the French club’s frustration and financial needs into an opportunity.
The Turkish side are aware that Saint‑Étienne previously refused very significant figures, but they hope that another season in Ligue 2 could make the French club more flexible. The expectation in Istanbul is that the door, which was completely shut six months ago, might now be at least partially open.
In this context, Beşiktaş’s strategy will likely involve a mix of fixed transfer fee and performance‑based bonuses, potentially including clauses tied to appearances, goals, or team achievements. Structured payments over several years could also help bridge the gap between what Saint‑Étienne demand and what Beşiktaş can pay upfront.
Tactical fit: why Beşiktaş insist on Davitashvili
The persistence surrounding this transfer is not just about numbers; it is driven by clear tactical reasoning. From a footballing perspective, Davitashvili offers qualities that Beşiktaş’s current squad lacks in sufficient volume.
He is capable of operating both as a traditional touchline winger and as an inverted attacker cutting inside to shoot. His ability to attack defenders one‑on‑one makes him particularly dangerous in broken play and transitions. Furthermore, his goal record for a wide player suggests he can relieve some of the scoring burden on the centre‑forward.
In a league where opponents frequently sit deep, a direct, unpredictable winger like Davitashvili can be a decisive factor in breaking down compact defensive structures. This is one of the main reasons the technical staff place him high on the list, even while other names like Trossard remain under consideration.
Competition and market dynamics
Beşiktaş also know they are not the only club monitoring the Georgian winger. A player who scores 16 goals and adds 5 assists from wide areas in a physically demanding league like Ligue 2 naturally attracts attention.
If Saint‑Étienne decide to open the door to a sale, there is a realistic chance that other European clubs could enter the race. For Beşiktaş, that increases the urgency to move early, present a serious project, and convince both the French club and the player before the market becomes too crowded and the asking price rises even further.
This is another reason why the Istanbul side are preparing for an aggressive third attempt. They want to show they are ready to build around him and give him a central role in their attacking plan, something that may not be guaranteed at every club that comes knocking.
Player’s perspective and next step
While Saint‑Étienne’s stance has been the main obstacle so far, the player’s ambitions also matter. Remaining in the French second tier for another season after coming so close to promotion could be a difficult pill to swallow for someone who has proven he can perform at a high level.
A move to a club regularly competing for trophies and European spots, in a football‑obsessed environment with a passionate fan base, could be a strong pull factor. Beşiktaş are expected to emphasize these elements when they present their project to Davitashvili and his representatives, aiming to align his personal ambitions with the club’s sporting goals.
What comes next for Beşiktaş?
Over the coming weeks, Beşiktaş’s management will likely step up contacts with both Saint‑Étienne and the player’s camp. The club need to finalize their squad planning early, especially given the importance assigned to the left wing.
If they manage to break Saint‑Étienne’s resistance and agree a fee, Davitashvili could become one of the headline signings of Beşiktaş’s summer window. If negotiations once again hit a wall, the black‑and‑whites will have to pivot quickly to alternative options, but as things stand, the Georgian remains at the forefront of their plans.
One thing is clear: after two failed attempts and a full season of tracking his development, Beşiktaş are not ready to give up. For them, the transfer saga around Zuriko Davitashvili is entering its third round – and this time, they intend to land the knockout blow.