Besiktas have stepped up their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic by submitting a final proposal to the Serbian striker and his representatives as they attempt to complete one of the biggest free-agent signings of the summer.
The Turkish giants have been working on a deal for Vlahovic for weeks and have now reached a decisive stage in negotiations.
Besiktas want the 26-year-old as their new leading striker and are waiting for the player and his camp to give the final green light to the move.
Vlahovic has been one of the club’s leading attacking targets since June, but the former Juventus forward has been assessing his options before making a final decision on the next chapter of his career.
That decision could now be approaching.
Besiktas Send Their Final Offer
Besiktas have made their position clear.
They want Vlahovic and have put their final proposal on the table in an attempt to bring negotiations to a successful conclusion.
The club’s management are working to obtain the Serbian international’s approval, with the deal now largely dependent on the player’s decision.
Reports in recent days have suggested that Vlahovic has become increasingly open to listening to the proposal from Turkey after spending the summer considering possibilities elsewhere in Europe.
Besiktas have remained persistent throughout that period.
Rather than moving away from the striker when an immediate agreement proved difficult, the Istanbul club have continued working on a financial package they hope will convince him.
Now they are waiting for an answer.
Vlahovic Is Available on a Free Transfer
One of the most attractive elements of the potential deal for Besiktas is Vlahovic’s current contractual situation.
The striker is available as a free agent after his Juventus contract expired at the end of June.
That means Besiktas would not have to negotiate a transfer fee with the Italian giants.
For a player who joined Juventus from Fiorentina for around €70million in January 2022, the opportunity to sign Vlahovic without paying a transfer fee is significant.
However, a free transfer does not mean the deal would be inexpensive.
Vlahovic commanded a substantial salary during his time in Turin, and his wage expectations have been one of the major factors surrounding his future.
Besiktas therefore need to put together a financial package attractive enough to persuade the Serbian that Turkey is the right destination.
Huge Salary Package Reportedly on the Table
Reports from Italy and Turkey have provided different figures regarding the precise value of the contract, but they agree that Besiktas are offering Vlahovic a major financial package.
Figures of between €8million and €10million per season have been reported.
A substantial signing-on bonus has also been discussed as part of negotiations.
That bonus is particularly important because there is no transfer fee involved.
Rather than paying another club tens of millions of euros for Vlahovic, Besiktas can use some of that financial flexibility to make the player’s personal package more attractive.
If an agreement is reached, Vlahovic would immediately become one of the biggest names in Turkish football.
Besiktas Have Wanted Vlahovic Since June
This is not a transfer that suddenly emerged in the final stages of the summer window.
Besiktas have been working on Vlahovic for months.
The Serbian was identified as a major target as the club looked to strengthen its attack ahead of the new campaign.
The difficulty has always been convincing Vlahovic to commit.
At 26, the striker is still at an age where he could potentially play for another major club in one of Europe’s biggest leagues.
That gave him reason to remain patient and examine whether opportunities would emerge elsewhere.
Barcelona were among the clubs linked with Vlahovic during the summer, while Premier League possibilities have also been discussed.
But as the new season approaches, Vlahovic has to make a decision.
Besiktas are offering something concrete.
Barcelona Links Complicated Vlahovic’s Decision
One of the reasons Vlahovic has taken his time appears to be his desire to keep his options open.
Barcelona have repeatedly been mentioned in reports surrounding his future.
A move to the Catalan giants would naturally have been attractive to a striker who spent several years playing at the highest level in Serie A.
However, recent reports indicate Barcelona are not currently moving forward with a deal for the Serbian.
That development could strengthen Besiktas’ position considerably.
Waiting for another major European club only makes sense if that interest eventually turns into a serious proposal.
Besiktas, meanwhile, have already demonstrated exactly how much they want the player.
Their final offer now puts the decision firmly in Vlahovic’s hands.
Vlahovic Leaves Juventus After Four and a Half Years
A move to Turkey would officially bring down the curtain on Vlahovic’s time in Italian football.
The Serbian first arrived in Italy as a teenager when he joined Fiorentina from Partizan.
It was in Florence that he developed into one of Europe’s most highly rated young centre-forwards.
His breakthrough eventually made him one of Serie A’s most sought-after players.
Juventus moved aggressively to sign him in January 2022, completing a deal worth around €70million plus additional costs.
Expectations were enormous.
Vlahovic had established himself as a prolific scorer at Fiorentina, and Juventus believed they had secured a striker capable of leading their attack for many years.
His spell in Turin produced plenty of goals and memorable moments, but it was not always straightforward.
Vlahovic Still Has Plenty to Offer
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future this summer, Vlahovic remains an established international striker entering what should be the prime years of his career.
He stands around 1.90 metres tall and offers the physical presence expected from a traditional centre-forward.
But his game is not based purely on strength.
Vlahovic possesses a powerful left foot, can finish from distance and has demonstrated throughout his career that he is capable of scoring different types of goals.
His record in Italy is one reason Besiktas are prepared to make such a major financial commitment.
Signing a 26-year-old striker with extensive Serie A and Champions League experience on a free transfer would represent a considerable statement.
The challenge is convincing him to say yes.
Besiktas Could Land One of the Summer’s Biggest Free Agents
For Besiktas, completing the transfer would send a significant message to their rivals.
Turkish football has attracted numerous established European stars in recent seasons, with the country’s biggest clubs becoming increasingly ambitious in the transfer market.
Vlahovic would fit perfectly into that trend.
He would arrive in Istanbul at 26 rather than at the very end of his career, potentially giving Besiktas several seasons with the Serbian operating close to his physical peak.
There would also be major expectations.
A player arriving on the kind of salary being reported would immediately be expected to become one of the team’s primary goalscorers.
For Vlahovic, the move could provide the opportunity to become the central figure in an ambitious project rather than simply another attacking option at a bigger European club.
The Final Decision Is Now With Vlahovic
After weeks of speculation, Besiktas appear to have done what they can.
The club identified Vlahovic as a priority, maintained contact throughout the summer and have now submitted their final proposal.
There is still an important distinction to make: the transfer is not completed yet.
Until Vlahovic gives his approval and the necessary contracts are signed, he remains a free agent.
But negotiations have reached an important stage.
Besiktas want him.
A major contract is on the table.
And after spending much of the summer waiting to see which opportunities would become available, Vlahovic now has a major career decision to make.
If he gives Besiktas the green light, one of the most closely watched free-agent stories of the summer could finally be approaching its conclusion.
