Beşiktaş is navigating a pivotal phase in its season as player transfer negotiations heat up, particularly concerning two key players, Demir Ege Tıknaz and Rafa Silva. The team, built on a foundation of emerging talent and reliable stars, faces the dual challenge of maintaining squad cohesion while addressing future ambitions.
Demir Ege Tıknaz, who was loaned from Beşiktaş to Rio Ave at the beginning of the season, is already at the center of transfer negotiations. According to reports, Rio Ave is pushing for a discount on the €5 million purchase option embedded in the loan agreement. However, Beşiktaş remains firm, rejecting this request. The black and white club emphasizes the importance of retaining the purchase option to secure Tıknaz’s future with them. In the Portuguese League this season, Tıknaz made an impressive impact, playing in 24 matches and contributing one goal alongside two assists, showcasing his potential to be a key player for Beşiktaş if the club decides to exercise the purchase option.
Meanwhile, Rafa Silva is proving to be an indispensable asset for Beşiktaş. Amidst the 40 matches Beşiktaş has played this season, Silva has been on the pitch for 38 of those encounters, highlighting his impressive consistency. The Portuguese star has made significant contributions, typified by his scoring prowess. In matches where Silva managed to score or assist, Beşiktaş has overwhelmingly performed well, suffering only one defeat. Specifically, Rafael Silva has provided scoring contributions in 16 matches, with 8 instances coming from the league where the team secured 6 victories and 2 draws. Notably, Silva's influence extends beyond domestic play; in European competitions, Beşiktaş has recorded three wins, a draw, and a loss in games where he was involved in the scoring. His sole defeat came against Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Moreover, Silva played a crucial role in Beşiktaş's success in the Ziraat Türkiye Cup, scoring in both of the matches they played, helping the team achieve victory in both games.
However, the data also reveals a concerning trend: in the 24 encounters where Silva has not made a scoreboard contribution, Beşiktaş has only won 8 times, contrasting sharply with the higher win rate when he is involved. This statistic puts pressure on the player to maintain his impact on the field, especially as Beşiktaş looks towards the future, aiming to retain its competitive edge.
The Portuguese veteran's impressive output this season, which includes 23 goals cumulatively from 38 appearances—13 goals and 10 assists—could be a decisive factor in the club's ambitions moving forward. His contract, running until June 2027, casts a positive light on Beşiktaş's future plans as the team seeks to build around proven performers like Silva.
On a different note, Beşiktaş faces potential departures, particularly concerning Onur Bulut, who reportedly is on the brink of leaving the club as the season winds down. Sources indicate that Bulut’s decision to leave was influenced after coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to utilize Tayyip Talha at right-back during Jonas Svensson's injury spell. Bulut has supposedly instructed his agent to secure a new team for him. Rumors also suggest that Başakşehir had shown interest in acquiring him at the beginning of the season. This season, Bulut has played in 22 matches for Beşiktaş, contributing one assist, but his role appears diminished as the team adjusts its lineup.
As the season progresses toward its conclusion, the decisions made regarding Tıknaz, Silva, and Bulut will undoubtedly play a significant part in shaping Beşiktaş’s strategy and success moving forward.
