In the last two seasons before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the Turkish giants Besiktas, they burned through a total of seven managers. The responsibility for lifting the club back to its old heights now rests on the shoulders of the Norwegian manager who uses the summer to get rid of stars who clearly see it as a “punishment” to play for the club.
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Former Serie A top scorer (for Napoli) Ciro Immobile, who barely bothered to lift his legs, has already been sent back to Italy and Bologna for free. Now the club is paying to be able to end the stay of ex-Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after only two years. The English midfielder, who joined the Turkish club as a Bosman player in the summer of 2023, has now reportedly had his contract terminated.
According to Turkish media, including Yeni Safak, Besiktas have chosen to terminate the deal with Oxlade-Chamberlain one year before it was supposed to expire. To get rid of the 31-year-old player, the club will have to pay a whopping £1.2 million in compensation.
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The decision confirms that Oxlade-Chamberlain is no longer part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans for Besiktas. Although he received considerable playing time under the Norwegian coach, his performances became increasingly controversial.
Now, the former Liverpool player faces new challenges. Rumours link him to several English clubs, including his old club Southampton in the Championship. Newly promoted Leeds United in the Premier League are also mentioned as a possible next stop for the experienced Englishman.
With his career at a turning point, it remains to be seen whether Oxlade-Chamberlain can find his way back to his former form in a new environment. For Besiktas, this marks another step in the transformation of the squad under Solskjaer’s leadership.
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