Besiktas target Premier League goalkeepers – but one doesn’t want to move

Besiktas are interested in Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier and Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir, talkSPORT understands.

The shot-stopping pair have had very limited gametime this season and the Turkish giants could offer them an escape route.

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Meslier has not made a single appearance in the Premier League or any competition for Leeds this term.

Manager Daniel Farke has clearly preferred Karl Darlow and summer signing Lucas Perri ahead of the Frenchman.

Despite this, it’s understood that the 25-year-old goalkeeper is reluctant to make the move to Besiktas.

Meanwhile, Bayindir has played six games for Man United in the top-flight, not appearing in any other competition.

He started the first six matches of the season under Ruben Amorim, as Andre Onana was left out and departed the club on loan Trabzonspor in September.

But since the Red Devils signed current goalkeeper Senne Lammens, Bayindir has found himself on the bench again.

The 27-year-old now has a potential chance to return home to Turkey and join the 21-time Turkish Super Lig winners.

He left his home country to join United in 2023, moving on from Besiktas’ rivals Fenerbahce three years ago.

Any transfer decision will have to be made quickly, with the Turkish transfer window coming to a close on Friday, February 6.

Besiktas currently have three goalkeepers in their squad, with Ersin Destanoglu starting most matches between the sticks.

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Heading home?

Bayindir will be hoping to secure some more regular game time ahead of the World Cup in the summer.

He has 11 caps for Turkey, but has played second fiddle to Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir for the national team.

So, he may believe a move back to his home country could help not only improve his minutes but boost his call-up hopes.

Bayindir previously spent four years at Fenerbahce, after playing all of his senior career beforehand in Turkey too.

He made 145 appearances for the club in total, so he is more than experienced in playing Turkish football.

Should Man United sell him, veteran shot-stopper Tom Heaton would be forced to become back-up to Lammens.

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Honest admission

As for Meslier, who isn’t keen on departing Leeds, his manager, Farke, stood by him just before the January window.

Meslier has had a rough few months for the Whites, being dropped for the run-in last season after making multiple errors.

Since then, he’s not played a game this campaign and has only appeared on the bench as a back-up on five occasions.

Speaking about his goalkeeper in December, Farke said: “I rate him that much and I think he is a goalkeeper full of potential…at this young age to have to have so many games at Championship and Premier League level is remarkable.

“We also needed all our goalkeepers so far in the matchday squad; we had injuries and illnesses, so it’s not the plan to do anything.

“Of course it can change in January if someone wants to leave anyhow due to a situation…but from my side there is no proactive wish to change my goalkeeping squad at all.”