Beşiktaş president Fikret Orman confirmed that the club made an offer for Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel over the summer transfer window but that he has no regrets about the Nigerian international not signing.

Orman did however, underlined that the Black Eagles could make a move for Mikel over the next transfer window.

The Beşiktaş president responded to questions regarding Mikel in today’s Fanatik by saying: “If Şenol Güneş had given the go ahead we were going to sign him and we could enter the race again over the winter break. However, we have coped remarkably well considering we are first with most our defensive midfielders out injured.”

The Istanbul giants were closely linked Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva until Brendan Rodgers decided to keep him at the club.

The Turkish Super League outfit are currently lacking depth in central midfield following injury to Tolgay Arslan and Veli Kavlak who are both out injured until the turn of the year.

Beşiktaş are currently in first place in the Turkish Super League two points ahead of second placed Galatasaray.