Having failed to navigate the Süper Lig season as they had hoped, the management of Istanbul’s Beşiktaş has already begun shaping the squad for the upcoming campaign. The club’s goal is to strengthen the team with two top-class players as quickly as possible and reignite the fans’ former excitement.
The Black-and-White board continues an active transfer drive, with the main priority set on completing the deal for the attacking line.
Center-Forward Target: Sights Set on Dolberg
The first name on Beşiktaş’s short-list is Danish forward Kasper Dolberg, who is playing for Anderlecht in the Belgian league. In the summer of 2023 the 27-year-old striker moved to Brussels for €5 million, proving he could deliver results in a new league from his very first season.
Now, in addition to the Black Eagles, several English clubs are also showing interest in Dolberg. According to Belgian sources, Anderlecht values its marksman at roughly €5 million. The Istanbul side, however, intends to structure the deal as a loan with a purchase option—a formula Turkish giants often use to spread the financial burden.
Beşiktaş is expected to send an official enquiry to Belgium in the next few days. Inside the club it is emphasised that task number one is to wrap up the move for the experienced striker as quickly as possible and secure a major attacking reinforcement before pre-season camp begins.
Number Six: Operation Esposito
In addition to a striker, Beşiktaş aims to bolster the holding-midfield position. The focus of the Istanbul club is 24-year-old Italian midfielder Salvatore Esposito, owned by Spezia. The Turkish side remains persistent, ready to meet the Genoese club’s financial demands and is putting an offer of around €6 million plus bonuses on the table.
Spezia sporting director Stefano Melissano confirmed the Black Eagles’ interest and reminded that the first contacts date back to January: “Yes, Beşiktaş have been monitoring Salvatore for a long time, but we have not yet received an official bid.”
According to the reputable Italian portal Tuttomercato, it is the Turkish club that has come closest to the required figure, whereas Bologna and Parma, previously linked with the player, are unlikely to reach that level under current economic conditions.
Born in 2000 and wearing the classic No. 6, Esposito perfectly fits the profile Beşiktaş is looking for: a durable holding midfielder with a quality first pass and the ability to break up opposition attacks. Unsurprisingly, the Istanbul club’s sporting department sees him as a long-term investment in the middle of the park.
What Comes Next?
In the near future the club bosses plan to move the talks to the closing stage: first make an official move for Dolberg and then focus on Esposito. Provided the parties reach a quick agreement, it looks entirely realistic that both deals will be finalised before the main transfer window opens.
For Beşiktaş, completing the transfers swiftly would allow the team to take part in pre-season at full strength, while for the Black Eagles’ supporters it is a solid reason to look forward to the new season with renewed excitement. Should the club manage to seal the arrivals of Dolberg and Esposito, the Istanbul side would significantly bolster both the forward line and central midfield, increasing their chances of re-entering the title race.
