Besiktas make big push for Liverpool man as Barca defender makes decision

Joe Williams
Nathaniel Clyne Liverpool

Besiktas are currently pursuing a deal to bring Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne to Turkey in the summer, according to reports.

Clyne suffered a knee ligament injury during Liverpool’s pre-season friendly with Borussia Dortmund in New York over the summer, which has kept him out for more than six months.

The 28-year-old England international, who spent last season on loan at fellow Premier League side Bournemouth, was sidelined for most of the 2017-18 season with a back injury.

Just before the Premier League was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, Clyne was showing signs of progress and had stepped up his workload in training as he prepared to mount a comeback.

There had even been reports in January that he could be ready for a loan move in the winter window but it came slightly too soon as he remained at Anfield.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has locked down the right-back spot at Liverpool, with Joe Gomez able to fill in when required, meaning opportunities will be even more limited for Clyne.

And now Turkish newspaper Posta (via Sport Witness) claims that Besiktas are already in talks about bringing Clyne to Vodafone Park on a free transfer.

Besiktas can strike a pre-contract agreement now as Clyne’s contract runs out at the end of the current campaign with no willingness from Liverpool to renew his deal.

 

Gokhan Gonul, who is Besiktas’ first choice at right-back, is in the same boat as Clyne with his deal expiring in the summer and the Turkish giants are looking to bring in a replacement.

With their top target Barcelona defender Douglas likely to choose a return to Brazil, Besiktas have made Clyne the next on their priority list.

Clyne has made over 100 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club in 2015.

Meanwhile, one pundit reckons that Liverpool could allow up to four of their players leave Anfield when the transfer window reopens.