Besiktas sell Tolgay Arslan to rivals for €3m

The Black Eagles have sold Turkish midfielder Tolgay Arslan to city rivals Fenerbahce.

Besiktas have accepted an offer from their rivals Fenerbahce for Tolgay Arslan on Wednesday evening.

The Yellow Canaries had put forth an initial bid of €2.5 million plus a player, Sener Ozbayrakli, but had to adjust their offer after Sener failed to agree terms with Besiktas. The Turkish full-back asked for €2 million in wages whereas Besiktas were offering €1.2 million.

The two clubs eventually shook hands on a deal that will see Fenerbahce pay Besiktas €3 million for Tolgay’s signature.

The 28-year-old has inked a three-and-a-half year contract with an optional one-year extension.

The German-born midfielder had been excluded from the first team at Besiktas since the beginning of the season and was reported to be looking for a way out. According to reports, he will miss out on approximately €400,000 in compensation from Besiktas.

This is the second player Fenerbahce have signed from one of their arch-rivals today, an unusual occurrence in the Turkish Super Lig.

The transfer will be finalized before the transfer window shuts at midnight on Thursday January 31.