Club chief gives reason why he had to sell player to Fulham

Besiktas president Fikret Orman has told the Turkish media they were under pressure to sell Fabri to Fulham in this transfer window.

The Spaniard last week signed for the Premier League newcomers for €6m.

Speaking to CNN Turk, via Futbol Arena, Orman gave the reasons he had to accept Fulham’s offer: “Fabri had a year left on his contract so we needed to send the player to the Premier League or we’d have come out empty next summer.”

Last week Besiktas reluctantly accepted Fulham’s offer of €6m for Fabri despite the Istanbul club holding out for €8m.

The Turkish club risked losing the former Deportivo La Coruna player next summer on a free transfer and there were even reports Fabri was refusing to sign an extension if they didn’t allow his move to Fulham.

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Despite losing Fabri to Fulham, Besiktas have made a decent profit on the keeper after signing him a free transfer two seasons ago.

Besiktas are now targeting Arsenal’s David Ospina as Fabri’s replacement.