Italiano wants a No. 9, and the board is moving
New Beşiktaş head coach Vincenzo Italiano has told the board his transfer priority is a striker, and president Serdal Adalı is ready to spend (2). Two names are now in the frame: Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic and Benfica's Greek international Vangelis Pavlidis. Pavlidis is already a familiar name around Vodafone Park, a €20 million bid was knocked back, with Benfica demanding €50 million, a figure that stunned the club's hierarchy. No clarity yet on what Vlahovic would cost, but the intent is real. Expect a busy few weeks as Italiano pushes to get his centre-forward sorted before pre-season.
Xhaka gets Italiano's green light
Granit Xhaka has emerged as a target, with Italiano reportedly approving the pursuit of the Swiss midfielder (1). Details are thin, the report is a headline only, no fee mentioned, no contract framework, but the Italian manager knows exactly what he wants in the middle of the park. Xhaka, 33, would bring leadership and set-piece quality to a squad fans feel lacks a genuine number ten. Worth monitoring.
Fan reactions
Supporters are already thinking beyond the confirmed targets. One Reddit thread is floating Leonardo Spinazzola as a potential free-agent signing, the Napoli left-back fits Italiano's reported preference for an inverted full-back on one side, and his contract is expiring. See the discussion here.
