Orkun Kokcu Transfer Nears Besiktas Deal With Solskjaer

Orkun Kokcu transfer drama has taken a decisive twist after the Benfica playmaker formally asked the Portuguese champions to open negotiations with Besiktas, where newly-appointed coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to make him the centrepiece of a summer rebuild.

Why the Orkun Kokcu transfer gathered pace

The Orkun Kokcu transfer was triggered by a deteriorating relationship with Benfica boss Bruno Lage. Sources in Lisbon say the pair clashed over positional instructions and the 23-year-old’s public criticism of team shape after a March draw. Kokcu, signed from Feyenoord for €25 million only last year, fears his development is stalling and believes working under Solskjaer will restore the freedom he enjoyed in Rotterdam.

Rejecting heavyweight suitors

Newcastle United tabled an enquiry worth around €35 million, hoping the Premier League pull would prove irresistible. Inter Milan, monitoring Christian Eriksen’s future, sounded out Kokcu’s representatives about a Serie A switch, while two unnamed Saudi Pro League clubs dangled tax-free salaries in excess of €10 million per season. Yet the midfielder’s camp insists that the prospect of playing in front of Besiktas’ vociferous Vodafone Park crowd – and being trusted as the creative hub – outweighs richer offers elsewhere.

Besiktas move: finances and structure

Benfica value their asset at €40 million but may compromise on a structured €32 million deal with bonuses tied to Champions League qualification. Black Eagles president Hasan Arat has already met Kokcu’s brother and agent, Ozan, in Istanbul. A five-year contract worth €4 million net per season is on the table, including a €60 million release clause to protect resale value.

Solskjaer’s tactical blueprint

Solskjaer, announced last week, intends to deploy a 4-2-3-1 in which Kokcu occupies the No. 10 role he thrived in at Feyenoord. The Norwegian believes the player’s vision, set-piece mastery and relentless pressing align with his desire for quick transitions. Insiders claim the coach personally phoned Kokcu to outline how the project would be built around him, a conversation that proved pivotal in the Orkun Kokcu transfer edging toward Turkey.

Scouting report: strengths and numbers

• Passing range: Averaged 2.4 key passes per 90 in the Primeira Liga.
• Shooting: Nine league goals, five from outside the box.
• Work rate: Covers 11.2 km per game, ranking in Benfica’s top three.
• Leadership: Captained Feyenoord at 21, praised for dressing-room maturity.

Kokcu’s ability to drop into the first build-up phase, receive under pressure and immediately switch play is precisely what Besiktas lacked during an inconsistent Süper Lig campaign that saw them finish third.

Impact on existing squad

Salih Uçan may shift deeper alongside Gedson Fernandes, allowing Kokcu to roam. Youngster Demir Ege Tıknaz is expected to learn directly from the incoming star, while veteran winger Rachid Ghezzal should benefit from Kokcu’s through-balls slicing open low blocks.

Benfica’s contingency plan

Bruno Lage, resigned to losing his midfield linchpin, has already short-listed Braga’s Álvaro Djaló and River Plate’s Esequiel Barco. The Portuguese giants stand to bank a profit of at least €7 million, funds that will be reinvested in a box-to-box alternative more in tune with Lage’s vertical preferences.

Regulatory hurdles and timeline

Besiktas must offload one foreign player to stay within Turkish Football Federation limits. Talks with Ajax over winger Ante Rebić’s loan are advanced, and his departure would free the final non-Turkish slot. Expect formal paperwork to be filed once pre-season begins on 1 July, with a medical pencilled in for the same week.

Fan reaction and media buzz

Supporters in Istanbul flooded social media under the hashtag #KokcuKartalOl – “Kokcu become an Eagle” – within hours of the news breaking. Turkish outlets Milliyet and Fanatik led with front-page spreads, while Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf lamented that the Eredivisie graduate will not grace a top-five European league just yet. The Orkun Kokcu transfer therefore transcends club lines, becoming one of the most discussed moves of the window.

Newcastle and Inter left scrambling

Eddie Howe is expected to pivot toward Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whereas Inter may revive interest in Sassuolo’s Davide Frattesi. Saudi directors, meanwhile, could turn their financial might toward Liverpool’s Thiago.

Historical context: Turks abroad returning home

There is precedent for high-profile Turkish internationals choosing Süper Lig stability over foreign adventures. Arda Turan, Cengiz Ünder and Burak Yılmaz all returned in their prime, citing cultural comfort and starring roles. Kokcu’s decision mirrors that trend yet differs in that he bypasses Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe to join a Besiktas side eager to re-establish domestic dominance.

How the Orkun Kokcu transfer boosts the league

Turkish football has battled perceptions of being a retirement haven. Securing a 23-year-old with proven Champions League pedigree underlines a shift toward youth and resale potential. Broadcasters expect increased viewership across the Balkans and the Netherlands, markets where Kokcu commands attention.

What happens next?

1. Clubs finalise a fee structure within the next fortnight.
2. Besiktas clear a foreign-player spot.
3. Player travels to Istanbul for medical and unveiling.
4. Solskjaer integrates Kokcu into tactical drills during the Austria camp.
5. Official debut likely in the Europa League qualifiers in late July.

Short-term and long-term projections

Short-term, Besiktas aim to close the gap on champions Galatasaray. Long-term, club hierarchs view Kokcu as a potential €70 million asset, replicating Enzo Fernández’s profit trajectory at Benfica.

Editor’s opinion

Landing a creative force at his peak, rather than on the downslope, would signal Besiktas’ most ambitious statement since Ricardo Quaresma’s first spell. If Solskjaer harnesses Kokcu’s vertical passing and penchant for big-game moments, Black-and-White supporters may finally see the swagger that has eluded them since the 2017 title run. Conversely, should expectations overwhelm, this hefty outlay could hamper squad depth elsewhere. Either way, the Süper Lig will be must-watch television next season.