Besiktas President Insults Leicester in Their Chase for Former Arsenal Academy Star

?Leicester City’s hopes of signing Turkish midfielder O?uzhan Özyakup suffered a setback after the Besiktas president stated he would only sell the player to a club ‘bigger’ than his own.

The Foxes are one of a number of teams linked with a move for Özyakup in recent weeks, as they look to rebuild their squad following this season’s underwhelming title defence. 

The 24-year-old is a former Arsenal academy star and has become one of Turkey’s top players ever since he left the Emirates five year’s ago. 

The Gunners are also thought to be interested in signing Ozyakup this summer, and whilst they may yet make a serious offer to Besiktas in the coming weeks, comments made by president, Fikret Orman, suggest that Leicester face an uphill battle to even begin negotiations with the Turkish giants.

In a recent interview with ?beIN Sports, he said: “We haven’t received an offer for O?uzhan Özyakup. 

“But he can’t go to a club like Leicester City for example. I’ll only sell him to a club that’s bigger than Be?ikta?”

Having helped Besiktas claim the Super Lig title in the past two seasons, Ozyakup looks set to leave the club this summer as he only has 12 months remaining on his contract. 

That, coupled with recent comments about his desire to play elsewhere in Europe, would suggest that his time in Turkey is drawing to an end. 

With the domestic season drawing to a close, the midfielder responded to speculation about his future by saying, via ?Turkish Football:“I have achieved all my goals at Besiktas, I want a challenge in Europe, that is my next step as I have always said.”