Marco Silva is expected to overhaul his entire midfield this summer, with only three first-team players thought to hold secure futures at Goodison Park going into the transfer window.
One man who could be brought to Merseyside as part of the range of expected changes may be Besiktas’ Oguzhan Ozyakup, as Aksam have linked the Toffees with the 26-year-old, and suggested the club have already made preliminary contact with the Super Lig outfit over a deal.
We are not the only side showing an interest in the Turkey international, though, as they also claim he is earning the attention of sides across the continent, with Valencia, Marseille, and Lazio known to be keen.
Despite the strong interest, anyone wishing to make a move will not have to break the bank to sign the Black Eagles’ captain, as a lack of game time this season has seen the BJK Vodafone Park management decide to put Ozyakup on the transfer list for between €6m and €7million (£5.2m-£6.1m).
Altogether this season, the 41-cap international has featured in 28 games across all competitions, but only holds 1,438 minutes of action to his name as Besiktas prepare for their penultimate game of the Super Lig campaign on Saturday.
From those 28 games, 18 were in the Turkish top-flight, and the Arsenal product born in Zaandam, Netherlands has only been able to register eleven interceptions and win 13 of his 23 attempted tackles so far.
Manager Senol Gunes has only used Ozyakup as his defensive midfielder on occasion this season, though, with the right-footed 5 ft 9 midfielder – who is under contract until 2022 – also utilised as the attacking and box-to-box option when needed.
Despite that, however, Ozyakup has only played a total of 17 key passes, assisted three goals and has one successful strike to his name from 16 efforts in the Super Lig this term.