Beşiktaş: Departures Move to the Forefront as Transfer Plan Takes Shape
Beşiktaş are not only focusing on new arrivals this summer; exits from the squad have become just as critical in shaping the team ahead of the new season. While the club adds important reinforcements, a clear-out is simultaneously being prepared to create a more balanced and competitive roster.
The black-and-whites are days away from a crucial European test. Beşiktaş will face Midtjylland in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, 23 July, and this fixture has played a significant role in clarifying the technical staff’s decisions. Head coach Vincenzo Italiano has used the pre-season period and early training sessions to finalize the core group he wants to rely on in the coming campaign.
The 48-year-old Italian manager has submitted a detailed report to the board, making it clear which players are not in his long-term plans. According to this evaluation, Elan Ricardo, Emrecan Uzunhan, Jean Onana, Al Musrati, Joao Mario, Tayyip Talha and Can Keleş do not figure in his projected squad structure. For Italiano, reducing the squad to a more compact, role-specific unit is as important as signing new names.
Following the coach’s assessment, the club informed the agents of the mentioned players that they are free to find new teams. The message from the management is straightforward: those who are not considered part of the project should move on to continue their careers elsewhere, ideally bringing in transfer income or at least freeing up significant room on the wage bill.
Among the names on the exit list, Tayyip Talha stands out as the one closest to finalizing a move. The defender is expected to join Rizespor, with negotiations understood to be in an advanced stage. A transfer to the Black Sea club would offer him the chance at regular first-team football, while Beşiktaş would open up a domestic slot in defence and ease competition in a crowded position.
Can Keleş is another player attracting attention in the market. Several Süper Lig clubs are closely monitoring his situation, aware that Beşiktaş are open to letting him go. The winger’s profile – domestic status, athleticism and potential resale value – makes him a valuable target for sides looking to strengthen their wide areas without exceeding foreign player limits.
For Beşiktaş, these departures are not just about players leaving; they are about reshaping the squad in line with the club’s strategy and the league’s regulations. The foreign player rule continues to heavily influence transfer policy in Turkish football. Reducing the number of non-homegrown players who do not play a key role is seen as essential to creating space for new, higher-impact signings that comply with the quota.
In this context, the club has already started to work on transfer moves tailored specifically to the foreign player regulation. The priority is to bring in additions who either count as domestically registered or who are so influential that they justify occupying a valuable foreign slot. Every outgoing transfer among the foreign contingent potentially opens the door to a more decisive, top-level reinforcement.
Within the club corridors, there is also recognition that a marquee offensive signing could change the entire outlook of the season. There is a prevailing belief that the arrival of a forward of Salah’s calibre – or at least a player in that mould: fast, direct, goal-scoring, decisive in the final third – would transform Beşiktaş’s attacking power and instantly raise the team’s competitive ceiling. Such a star addition is seen as capable of altering tactical plans, stadium atmosphere and even the perception of the club in European competitions.
However, to make room for any big-name arrival, Beşiktaş must first streamline the existing wage structure. Players like Onana, Al Musrati and Joao Mario were initially brought in to be key figures, but under Italiano’s technical vision, they have not secured an indispensable role. Moving them on would not only benefit squad harmony but also create the financial flexibility needed to chase targets who fit the new sporting project better.
Vincenzo Italiano’s approach is built on intensity, pressing and clear positional roles. The Italian coach prefers players who can adapt quickly to his tactical demands, maintain a high tempo for 90 minutes and contribute both with and without the ball. Those who cannot naturally fit into this philosophy, or who would require too much adaptation time, are being filtered out early in the process. The current list of names set for departure is therefore a reflection of footballing priorities rather than individual talent alone.
The Midtjylland tie serves as an early litmus test for this revamped structure. Italiano aims to enter that match with a more clearly defined hierarchy, where each player knows his role and status. Trimming the squad of those who are unlikely to feature helps the staff concentrate on the core group and avoid dressing-room congestion, especially at positions where competition has become more numerical than truly competitive.
Another key dimension of the outgoing transfers is the opportunity it offers to younger players and academy products. By offloading squad members on the fringes, Beşiktaş can give more minutes and responsibility to promising talents who align with the dynamic, high-energy style Italiano demands. This, in turn, supports the club’s long-term vision of combining homegrown players with high-profile signings.
Financial sustainability also sits at the heart of these decisions. Recent seasons have underlined how risky it is to carry a large squad filled with expensive contracts and minimal contribution. Every transfer out involving a significant salary or a non-essential foreign player moves Beşiktaş a step closer to a healthier budget. This allows the club to invest more wisely in two or three quality additions rather than spreading resources thinly across a bloated roster.
Looking ahead, Beşiktaş’s transfer committee is expected to operate with a clear set of priorities:
– finalize exits for players not in Italiano’s plans as quickly as possible,
– target signings that respect the foreign player limit while raising the team’s technical level,
– keep a strategic slot open for a potential game-changing forward,
– and maintain flexibility to react to opportunities that may appear late in the window.
Ultimately, the current phase is about more than just saying goodbye to a handful of names. Beşiktaş are attempting to draw a decisive line between the past and the future, constructing a squad tailored to their coach’s philosophy, the realities of the domestic regulations and the ambition to compete strongly in Europe. If the planned departures and carefully chosen arrivals align as intended, the black-and-whites could enter the new season with a leaner, more efficient and far more dangerous team.