Immobile's Cold Feet Leave Musrati and Can at Beşiktaş
A Twist in the Tale
The summer transfer window has taken another unexpected turn, as Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has reportedly pulled the plug on a move to Beşiktaş, leaving the Turkish club in the lurch.
Beşiktaş had been heavily linked with a move for Immobile, with reports suggesting that a deal worth around €20 million was close to being agreed.
However, according to latest reports, Immobile has now had a change of heart and has decided to stay at Lazio.
Reasons for Immobile's U-turn
It is unclear exactly why Immobile has decided to stay at Lazio, but there are a number of possible explanations.
- Family reasons: Immobile is a family man, and he may have decided that he does not want to uproot his family from Italy.
- Champions League football: Lazio are in the Champions League this season, while Beşiktaş are not. Immobile may have decided that he wants to play in the Champions League, and that Lazio offers him the best chance of doing so.
- Lazio's ambitions: Lazio are a club with big ambitions, and they have assembled a strong squad this summer. Immobile may believe that Lazio can challenge for the Serie A title this season, and that he can be a part of that success.
Beşiktaş's Dilemma
Beşiktaş are now left in a difficult position, as they have lost out on their top transfer target.
The Turkish club are in need of a new striker, and they will now have to look elsewhere for a replacement.
There are a number of possible targets that Beşiktaş could consider, including:
| Player | Club | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wout Weghorst | Burnley | €15 million |
| Michy Batshuayi | Chelsea | €20 million |
| Divock Origi | Liverpool | €25 million |
Musrati and Can's Future
The departure of Immobile could also have a knock-on effect on the futures of Beşiktaş midfielders Adem Ljajic and Can Bozdogan.
Ljajic has been linked with a move to Lazio, while Bozdogan has been linked with a move to the Premier League.
If Beşiktaş are able to sign a replacement for Immobile, it is possible that they could sell one or both of these players in order to raise funds.
Conclusion
The summer transfer window is a time of great uncertainty, and the Immobile saga is a perfect example of how quickly things can change.
Beşiktaş will now have to regroup and look for a new striker, while Lazio will be relieved to have kept hold of their star man.
It will be interesting to see how the transfer window unfolds in the coming weeks, and whether there are any more twists and turns in store.