Besiktas vice president Ahmet Nur Cebi has spoken to Turkish TV channel HaberTurk about Cenk Tosun’s move to Everton in the last transfer window.
Cebi was asked his thoughts on Tosun’s record transfer to Everton, and his opinion on the Turkish international’s indifferent start at Goodison Park.
The Besiktas chief said after negotiations they managed to get €22.5m with add-ons for Turkish star as quoted by Sporx: “First of all they were very intense talks. I’ve been in many of these talks. Everton offered €12.5m first, but we managed to up it to €22.5 m with add ons. I think it’s good money considering the previous sales Turkish clubs have ever made.
“As a board member I can confirm to you that we didn’t want to lose Cenk. But he has targets, one of them is to play in the Premier League. After talks with Everton reached an advanced stage, we considered his wishes and made the deal with the English club.”
“I think he’s happy now, but at Besiktas our doors are always open to him. I would love him to come back in the future. And I think at one stage of his career, he will want a return to Besiktas because we have a brilliant atmosphere here, and players want to play for this shirt again.”
Tosun signed for Everton at the start of the winter transfer window, in a record move for a player moving from the Turkish league. The 26 year old showed promise on his debut against Tottenham Hotspur, but he’s played just 150 minutes of football since arriving on Merseyside.
Last weekend Tosun didn’t feature in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, after Sam Allardyce chose Oumar Niasse ahead of him.
Going in with a €12.5m initial offer, Everton were probably fortunate Cenk Tosun was so keen on the deal, otherwise Besiktas may have run them out of town.
