Cenk Tosun had no shortage of interest before joining Everton from Besiktas.

The Turkey international was coming off the back of successive league title wins over the past two seasons.

Tosun scored 24 times in all competitions last term and had 14 goals as well as three assists heading into the winter break this campaign.

The 26-year-old played a major role in Besiktas becoming the first Turkish side to book a place in the Champions League Last 16 stage.

Tosun was directly involved in six of the Black Eagles 11 goals as they cruise past Group G as undefeated leaders.

So why did the striker decide to join the Toffees? well it turns out Sam Allardyce is the answer.

Tosun told The Telegraph that Allardyce called him a number of times to tell him how much he liked his playing style.

Big Sam managed to convince Tosun over the phone into making the move to Everton.

See More: 5 Little Known Facts About £27m Everton Signing Cenk Tosun

“Everton was the first who seriously wanted me and I wanted to come here,” said Tosun.

“Not once, but a few times he (Allardyce) called me and said he liked my playing style, he wanted me, I could do well in his team and he believed in me. It was my biggest dream to play in the Premier League and I worked so hard to come here.”

The striker was brought in to fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku but he has yet to score or provide an assist in his first two games for the Toffees.

The prolific forward is expected to start up front against Leicester City at Goodison Park on Wednesday 31 January.