Benfica’s Orkun Kökçü is reportedly on Newcastle United transfer agenda for this summer.
The Netherlands-born Turkey international’s future with the Eagles remain uncertain after a public spat with manager Bruno Lage at the Club World Cup. He’s been linked to several clubs since then and Newcastle have been added to that list.
Earlier today, O Jogo reported the Magpies are very interested in the 24-year-old and are considering making an offer. They also stated Benfica want around €40m him.
It’s unclear whether Newcastle are open to meeting Benfica’s request of €40m. Even if they do, Eddie Howe’s side will face a challenge to convince the midfielder.
That’s according to Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, who took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to report that Kökçü wants to join Beşiktaş this summer.
Sabuncuoğlu claims the Benfica player is ready to ‘burn his bridges’ and reject all others, in a bid to secure a move to the Istanbul club.
Kökçü is putting pressure on Benfica to accept Beşiktaş’ proposal, and should Newcastle United even be genuinely interested, missing out may not be the worst outcome. The last thing Eddie Howe needs is a player ready to publicly kick off when asked to leave the pitch.