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Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, Besiktas, Turkey, Turkish Super Lig
Josh Lawless
Topics: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, Besiktas, Turkey, Turkish Super Lig
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Besiktas have pulled the plug on what would have been their sixth signing of the summer, releasing a statement explaining the decision.
After an extended period out of the game following his dismissal from Manchester United, Solskjaer returned to management in January and signed a one-and-a-half year contract with Besiktas.
In his first 22 games, Solskjaer won 12, drew four and lost six - accruing a win percentage of 54.55% as Besiktas finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig.
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The Istanbul giants have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in five new players as they freshen up their squad for the new campaign.
Joao Mario, David Jurasek and Orkun Kokcu have all joined from Benfica, while Tammy Abraham has joined loan from AS Roma and Felix Uduokhai has been drafted in from Augsburg.
However, Besiktas also looked set to seal a deal for former Southampton and Spurs defender Kyle Walker-Peters - with an official announcement made and a medical pencilled in.
The 28-year-old was poised to join on a free transfer but because he asked for an extension prior to undergoing a medical, the club performed a shock u-turn and have walked away from the deal.
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"It is publicly known that the arrival of Kyle Walker-Peters, with whom we previously announced an agreement in principle and invited him to Istanbul for a medical examination, has been postponed," Besiktas announced in a statement.
"Today, Kyle Walker-Peters notified us, requesting an extension. Consequently, our club has withdrawn its transfer.
"Our club continues its transfer efforts in accordance with its established policy. We respectfully inform the public."
Walker-Peters is therefore still without a club after running down his contract at St Mary's Stadium. But the surprise turn of events could open up an opportunity for Everton, who have registered interest in the full-back and could go back into the free agents market.
Abraham looks set to be the sole England player at Besiktas next term after the club terminated the contract of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who played 50 times across two seasons.