Orkun Kokcu: Man United interest sparks response from Besiktas
Orkun Kokcu: Man United interest sparks response from Besiktas Manchester United are interested in signing in-form Besiktas midfielder Orkun Kokcu this summer, according to a report from Türkiye. Red-hot Form Despite a relatively quiet start to life at the Tüpraş Stadium, the 25-year-old has burst into life in the second half of the season, demonstrating the dazzling skillset which led Besiktas to sign him last summer. In his last 11 games in the Super Lig, Kokcu has returned seven goals and six assists, while helping control matches as the team’s creative hub in midfield.
This led to a 10-game unbeaten streak for the Black Eagles, though their form has since dipped as Kokcu’s teammates have been nowhere close to his level. The Turkish international is currently on loan from Portuguese giants Benfica, with a €25 million buy-obligation that can potentially rise to €30m with bonuses. He described the move to Istanbul as fulfilling a childhood dream, despite having grown up in the Netherlands.
Kokcu joined Feyenoord’s esteemed academy after first breaking through with FC Groningen. He would go on to make 175 appearances for De Trots van Zuid before completing a €30m switch to Portugal. However, the 5’9″ maestro may be on the move again this summer as United and Tottenham Hotspur have expressed interest in a deal, Turkish Football reveals.
Galatasaray are currently leading the Super Lig table, with Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor – Andre Onana ‘s adopted home for the season – in hot pursuit. Besiktas, by contrast, are 13 points adrift in fourth and retain virtually no hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. This increases the risk of losing Kokcu at the end of the season, as his form is worthy of playing in Europe’s elite competition, even if his current club are not.
United on the hunt United are planning to overhaul their midfield this summer as Casemiro will leave and Manuel Ugarte looks likely to join the Brazilian through the exit door. The club are prioritising a big-money recruit from the Premier League as their primary target, with Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba high on the radar. However, if a second midfielder is also to arrive, United may be forced to shop in Europe to find a cheaper alternative – with Kokcu considered one of the continent’s most in-form players.