Everton Boss Opens Up About £27m Striker Turning Down Bayern Munich Chance For Toffees
Everton manager Sam Allardyce confirmed reaching a deal with Besiktas over the transfer of Cenk Tosun yesterday.
“We’ve agreed a deal and are at the stage of personal terms. Hopefully, we might be able to get him registered in time to play in the cup,” Allardyce told reporters at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Liverpool FA Cup clash.
Tosun could make the Everton squad for the derby against the Reds if he is registered in time.
The 26-year-old is set to join Everton for a £27 million fee.
Allardyce revealed the fact Tosun turned down the chance to play Champions League Last 16 football against Bayern Munich to join Everton was one of the factors that impressed him.
“His desire to play in the Premier League means he will leave a club that has qualified for the Champions League final stages because he wants to play in the Premier League,” said the Blues boss.
“That is a big statement from a player of his calibre and his standing and that ticks a lot of the boxes that he will be successful.”
Tosun played a major role in Besiktas becoming the first Turkish side to book a place in the Last 16 as group leaders.
The Turkey international scored four goals and provided two assists for the Black Eagles in Group G.
Big Sam did however, acknowledge that he cannot guarantee whether Tosun will be able to cope with the expectation of replacing Romelu Lukaku who joined Manchester United over the summer.
“I can’t say that yet because we don’t know if he can go into the side and produce straight away,” Allardyce said.
“We’d have to monitor that careful and make sure we’re not playing him for the sake of playing him.
“If it doesn’t work straight away, it doesn’t work straight away and we have to accept that won’t happen then we’ll continue to bring him on and see if he can produce by the time the season develops.
“But I’m sure – hopefully – what we’ve seen this in his Champions League games, his league games, his international games.”
Tosun will become the most expensive player to leave the Super Lig once the transfer is completed.
The striker leaves Besiktas on the back of back-to-back league titles.
