Major transfer activity at Beşiktaş

Transfer planning for the upcoming season at Beşiktaş continues without slowing down. While new names are being sought for the team alongside innovations in the club structure, notable statements came from Football Director Önder Özen.

Explaining that they have made great progress in transfer efforts, Özen stated that they are nearing the end of the transfer of three new players. "There are 3 players we are very close to finalizing. We have reached an agreement with two of these 3 players. As for the other, we have reached an agreement with their club, and we are waiting to reach an agreement with the player himself," he said, explaining that the negotiations are progressing positively.

Stating that he could not respond to calls from the team and the media due to the intensity of the transfer process, Özen noted that there were communication difficulties because the contacts they were conducting were intercontinental. "My phone has been off for 10 days. There is definitely a reason for this. I have to say this. I haven't been able to make your job easier, but sometimes we held meetings with a player outside the continent, sometimes with that player's representative on another continent, and sometimes with that player's club on yet another continent. These had to be video calls. We tried to do it that way. We are holding dozens of meetings. We are meeting with the same people within the same day. That's why I became unable to use the phone for a while. We couldn't give you news. I apologize on my own behalf. The phone is being turned on from now on. The flow of news will be a bit healthier from now on," he said.

Özen emphasized that the World Cup organization also played an important role in the prolongation of the transfer process. "The World Cup makes things a bit difficult. Many club officials or those with signing authority are in the USA. Some of the players are there. There are also clubs on other continents. Clubs all over the world are divided into 3 or 4 due to the World Cup. That's why things are moving slowly," he said.

Explaining that in some transfers, despite shaking hands with the player's side, management changes at the clubs they play for caused delays, Özen said, "Clubs are not taking steps regarding buying and selling. We actually agreed with the players a long time ago, but there is a takeover at one of their clubs. Takeover matters were awaited. The newly arrived management has just sat at the table. They are checking their accounts and books. Then they will get back to us. We think we are strong there. The player is under our control. We can finalize that quickly," he assessed.

Stating that new additions to the team are planned in stages, Özen said that expanding the squad will take place in the second stage. "After the first stage is finished, the second stage will be to strengthen the team. We will make transfers for a wider rotation. In the final stage, we will move on to the section where cost and benefit can overlap. If we see that equation in our favor in the final part, we might have 1-2 moves. We are at this stage for now. There are also players who will leave. Offers are coming for them as well. We are also evaluating them," he said.

Expressing his expectations regarding the camp process in Slovakia, Özen stated that it might take time for two players competing in the World Cup to join the camp, while predicting that the third footballer would join the team in a short time: "There is no possibility for two players to make it to the overseas camp because they are at the World Cup. Their contracts might be ready, but they cannot come. The other player will definitely be in the camp. In fact, his transfer might be completed even before going to the camp. We will wait and see that too."

Önder Özen, who highlights the support of Beşiktaş fans at every opportunity, emphasized the influence of the fans on the club by saying, "The club's greatest strength is its fans. If the club has continued its life for over 100 years, if it continues its greatness, its splendor, its beauty, and its existence, its greatest strength is the fans."

Underlining that the spirit of unity is important in the community before the new season, Özen called for support with these words: "When we came here, I tried to tell the president as well. Very strong figures have come together in the last few years, but I cannot say there is a very great unity. We cannot blame anyone. But we are entering such a season... We need a monolithic team. To ensure this, we need the fans to be in one piece as well. Everyone needs to stand in the same place. Everyone needs to be at the same point, looking at the same place. We cannot be successful without this."

Finally, stating that instead of competition within the club, they should compete with rival teams, Özen said, "We will not compete within ourselves, we will compete with our rivals. There is only one condition for this; our feet will step in the same place, our eyes will look at the same place, we will stand in the same place and we will walk together. Then we will see where the paths we walk lead. But this is a must!"