Manchester United are reportedly ready to sanction the departure of Altay Bayindir this summer as the club continue their aggressive strategy to streamline the first-team squad. The Turkish international, who arrived at Old Trafford with high hopes of challenging for the number one spot, is set to return to his homeland after struggling to break into Michael Carrick’s starting XI. According to the latest reports coming out of Turkey, the Red Devils have reached a formal agreement with Super Lig giants Besiktas to offload the goalkeeper in the upcoming transfer window, marking a significant step in United's mission to reduce their bloated wage bill and recoup funds for future reinforcements.
Unai Emery's side are set to dip into the transfer window to sign a replacement for Donyell Malen. The Dutch star is heading to Serie A to join Roma after just a year in the West Midlands. Aston Villa are hoping to replace Malen by making a shock move for a former Chelsea and AC Milan star and are willing to offer a long-term contract at Villa Park.
Rafa Silva has backed down from his intention to leave Besiktas and returned to training after the Turkish club threatened to report him to FIFA for unauthorised absence. The Portuguese forward, who had been complaining of pain despite clean medical scans, cited "family problems" rather than financial issues as the reason for his actions, admitting his "head was a mess".
Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho has reportedly held transfer talks with three Turkish clubs amid his latest underwhelming loan spell. Sancho was included in Ruben Amorim's bomb squad in the summer before he secured a loan move to Aston Villa. However, he has struggled for minutes under Unai Emery and is already thought to be contemplating another change of scenery.
Rafa Silva has been threatened with FIFA action after he expressed his wish to hang up his boots despite being contracted to Besiktas. Reports from Turkey this week revealed that the 32-year-old, who spent eight glittering seasons at Benfica before moving to Istanbul, has declared he wants to step away from the game altogether, and not at a future date, but now.
Turkish football has been thrown into turmoil after the nation's football federation confirmed that over 1,000 players and 149 referees are under investigation for involvement in football betting. The scandal has led to emergency suspensions, fixture delays and arrests, raising serious concerns about integrity across the country’s leagues.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is back training with Arsenal after becoming a free agent, claims to have turned down offers from a number of clubs. The 35-time England international has returned to his homeland after being released by Turkish side Besiktas. He is prepared to be patient while seeking fresh terms, with the midfielder making it clear where his next port of call will be.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned to Arsenal after eight years and has been spotted training with the club's Under-21 side. Oxlade-Chamberlain left the Gunners in 2017 to join Premier League rivals Liverpool, where he spent six years before heading to Besiktas in Turkey. This summer, the versatile midfielder mutually terminated his contract to become a free agent.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson endured a hostile welcome to Istanbul’s fiercest football rivalry, pelted with objects by Besiktas fans during Fenerbahce’s fiery 3-2 derby win. The Brazilian, who left City after eight years and six Premier League titles, responded with calm defiance as he posted a thumbs-up photo after the match, symbolising both resilience and victory in one of Europe’s most volatile derbies.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their home comforts in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Arsenal have revealed their stance on selling Leandro Trossard amid strong links with Besiktas. The Belgian midfielder joined the Gunners in 2023 from Brighton and last month, he signed a new contract extension that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2027. Trossard had earlier attracted interest from Fenerbahce when Jose Mourinho was still in charge of the club.
Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been relieved of his duties as Besiktas manager after the Turkish Super Lig giants crashed out of the Conference League play-offs. The Norwegian coach, who joined Besiktas in January this year, arrived on a one-and-a-half year deal but lasted only eight months in the role.
Manchester United, who are looking to sell out-of-favour winger Jadon Sancho, could be forced to send him out on loan once again despite interest from Turkish giants Besiktas. United want a permanent solution for Sancho as he is into the final year of his contract, although the Premier League side have an option to extend the deal by a year.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure at Besiktas is reportedly on shaky ground, with mounting pressure from within the club possibly leading to an early dismissal. Despite being appointed only in January 2025, the Norwegian manager is believed to be on the verge of being replaced as the Turkish giants reassess their managerial direction.
Kyle Walker-Peters is poised to join West Ham United on a free transfer following a dramatic breakdown in talks with Ole Gunner Solskjaer's Besiktas. The 28-year-old defender had been in advanced talks with the Istanbul-based side after his contract with Southampton expired, but the move collapsed in controversial fashion after the defender requested additional time to evaluate his future, a gesture that did not sit well with Besiktas.