Promising reports are coming out of Turkey that Rafa Benitez has 25-year-old free agent Oguzhan Ozyakup from Besiktas lined up to sign for Newcastle in the summer.
When a top player becomes a free agent, there’s a lot of competition, and that’s been true of the 30 times capped Turkish International midfielder.
We’re also sure Rafa wants to do as many deals as possible even before the transfer window opens in July, so he is not left in the same position by Mike Ashley this summer as he was last summer.
Oguzhan Ozyakup – 25-year-old Besiktas central midfielder
That mess has caused our current umpteenth fight against relegation.
That’s always assuming we survive the drop and Rafa stays with Newcastle.
The news is that Rafa has already met with Ozyakup’s agent Kees Vos and lawyer Alfredo Seco to get the deal agreed to.
So if these reports are accurate we assume the Netherlands-born player has signed a pre-contract agreement that he will sign on a permanent basis for Newcastle in the summer when his Besiktas contract runs out.
With a top class free agent available you sometimes need to give them a signing-on fee and big wages (of course) so it’s not surprising that it is being reported he will become the top wage earner at Newcastle (if and) when he signs.
Ozyakup was previously at AZ and was part of the Arsenal Academy and he finally joined Besiktas back in 2012.
He has played 207 times for Besiktas with 27 goals and 46 assists.
The Besiktas central midfielder has a phenomenal work-rate and will make a huge difference in the middle of the park for Newcastle next season – assuming we sign him.
The 5ft 11ins player is also versatile and has also played in the number 10 position.
We are hoping this news is true.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
61 comments so far
Jib
Mar 10, 2018 at 6:17 AM
Comment #41First !
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 6:54 AM
Comment #42No way around it….massive match today! This is what it is all about! The lads need to fight with all they have and supporters have to support them 100% no matter what happens!!!
Howay the Lads!!! 0-3 today!!!
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 6:55 AM
Comment #43Oops: meant 3-0!!!
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:01 AM
Comment #44Time for Kenedy to get his first goal. Also somehow think Ayoze will have a big match! (Not that I am usually his biggest fan…).
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:04 AM
Comment #45Hmmm, for some reason “blog killer” is running thru my mind to the tune of the Talking Heads…
Jib
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:13 AM
Comment #46Chico
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:17 AM
Comment #47Jib,
Yeah, That’s the one! “Blog Killer, run run away!”.
Jib
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:25 AM
Comment #48Guardian selection
Jib
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:28 AM
Comment #49That Guardian team is the one that started
against Man Yoo at SJP.
I have no problems with that
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:33 AM
Comment #50Yep, the team pretty much picks itself this week.
sing in the corner
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:57 AM
Comment #51People saying anything less than 3 points today is a disaster..must win game..etc ..? Maybe try TENA men for your weak bladders.
We would all love to rattle off 3 straight wins and put the feet up, but hold the nerve ffs.
Would you rather be in CPA, WBA, Stoke, Udders, W Ham, Saints positions? No.
Howay the lads!
Jib
Mar 10, 2018 at 8:13 AM
Comment #52I say SING
You are absolutely spot on old bean
Hip hip hooray
C;mon the chaps
Jib
Mar 10, 2018 at 8:27 AM
Comment #53At last the Spanish media get it !!!
Rafa wasn’t a flop at Real Madrid
The rise of three key players is directly
down to Rafa Benitez’ influence
Lucas Vasquez ,
Mateo Kovacic ,
Carlos Henrique Casemiro
I wonder if Rafa can talk any of them
to Tyneside come Summer ?
http://revistaelbalon.com/real-madrid/real-madrid-agradecido-rafa-benitez/
jane
Mar 10, 2018 at 8:46 AM
Comment #54“Our premier league status itself is not clear and its 50-50 for relegation.”
we are 4/1 to be relegated not evens.
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/relegation
Tsunki
Mar 10, 2018 at 8:48 AM
Comment #55Interesting article considering the recent shenanigans over certain players ahem er shipped out….
Lots of questioning the judgement of our manager adversely here very little rationalising his reasons why.
Tsunki
Mar 10, 2018 at 8:49 AM
Comment #56I hope there are pallets of those things available sing it gets a bit widdly in here match time 🙂
toonincheek
Mar 10, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Comment #57I wonder if there are any clubs that will do what we did
2 years ago – appoint a new manager for the last 8/9
games and hope for a turn-around in form.
sing in the corner
Mar 10, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Comment #58Tsunki
You’ll need a super absorbant all over body suit for this afternoon, incontinence storm brewing. Rats have more control…oh wait, they have no sphincters either.
jane
Mar 10, 2018 at 9:16 AM
Comment #59i would be happy with a draw and Palace losing (Chelsea v Crystal Palace 5.30pm) as we would be 3 points ahead and a better goal difference. Southampton might think the same!
martoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 9:23 AM
Comment #60Jib @48 Yeah that’s the team I’d go for – I.e. the one that started against Man U.
Malta Mag
Apr 1, 2018 at 7:42 AM
Comment #61Reference Graham Fenton, it wasn’t the fact he scored against us that hurt, as he was only doing his job, but I’ll never forget his clenched fist celebration as he came off the pitch. Twat!!!!