Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Besiktas have abruptly pulled out of a deal despite a medical test being booked.
After an extended spell out of football following his sacking from Manchester United, Solskjaer returned to coaching in January with a one-and-a-half-year contract with Besiktas.
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In his first 22 games, Solskjaer has won 12, drawn four and lost six – a win percentage of 54.55% as Besiktas finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig.
Five new signings – but Walker-Peters attempt fell through
The Istanbul club has been busy in the transfer window with five new players:
- João Mário, David Jurásek and Orkun Kökçü (brought from Benfica)
- Tammy Abraham (loan from AS Roma)
- Felix Uduokhai (brought from Augsburg)
But a planned transfer for Kyle Walker-Peters – previously at Southampton and Tottenham – was abruptly cancelled by the club, despite a medical test being planned and confirmed.
Besiktas explains abrupt turn
In a public statement, the club wrote:
“It is public knowledge that the arrival of Kyle Walker-Peters, with whom we previously announced an agreement in principle and invited to Istanbul for medical examination, has been postponed. Today, Walker-Peters asked for a postponement, which led to our club withdrawing from the transfer. Our club continues the transition work in line with our established policy. We inform the public with respect.”
Walker-Peters, who left Southampton as a free agent, is now without a club. This unexpected development could open the door for Everton, who have shown interest in him in the past.
English presence reduced
Tammy Abraham looks set to be the only English player at Besiktas next season, after the club terminated the contract of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – who played 50 games in two seasons.
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