Besiktas negotiate for N1.6 billion-rated Super Eagles hopeful as plan B for Diego Costa

The former Chelsea striker is the Turkish champions’ primary target this summer, but a striker of Nigerian descent could be brought in should that deal fail to materialise

Besiktas have kicked off negotiations with Middlesbrough intending to sign English-born Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom.

According to FutbolArena, Akpom is top on the list of players drafted by the Turkish champions as an alternative to top transfer target Diego Costa.

Costa is the man Besiktas want at all cost, but they are not close to sealing a deal with the former Atletico Madrid star, who is a free agent.

Costa has been without a club since mutually terminating his contract with the 2021 La Liga champions in December.

With Besiktas eyeing Akpom as a plan B, the former Arsenal academy product would jump at the chance to switch Championship football for the UEFA Champions League.

The 25-year-old managed only five goals in 38 matches in the Championship last season, but he has proved his mettle across stints at various clubs in England, Belgium, and Greece.

The Super Eagles hopeful has an estimated transfer value of N1.6 billion (€3.2 million, transfermarkt), but Besiktas are working on a deal with a fee lower than €3 million.

Akpom has scored 74 goals and 25 assists in 272 games throughout his career.