Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lining up ex-Man United player as first Besiktas transfer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could turn to a former Manchester United player as one of his first signings at new club Besiktas. The Norwegian has returned to management after more than three years out of the game, in his first job since his departure from the Old Trafford dugout in 2021. Solskjaer has returned out of the managerial wilderness to become the new head coach of BesiktasBesiktas on X Besiktas have chosen the Man United legend as the man to lead the 16-time Turkish Super Lig champions back to the top. They currently sit sixth in the table, a whopping 20 points adrift of current leaders Galatasaray, but Solskjaer will be hoping to add to an already talented squad to help reduce the gap and turn Besiktas into challengers again. The Istanbul giants have a few familiar faces, including former England, Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, ex-Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista and Portuguese ace Gedson Fernandes, who previously spent a season on loan at Tottenham. They also boast former Lazio striker Ciro Immobile, who is still going strong at the age of 34 and is the club’s top scorer this season with 14 goals. He scored twice in a 5-0 victory over Galatasaray at the beginning of the season as Besiktas lifted the Turkish Super Cup. But now Solskjaer will turn his attention to improving his new team, with reports claiming he is keen on being reunited with Welsh forward Tom Lawrence. The 31-year-old has entered the last six months of his contract at Rangers and is free to discuss pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs to pave the way for a summer move. However, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports a January switch could be on the cards. With the Scottish Premiership title race already over – Celtic holding a 13 point lead over the Gers at the top of the table – it is suggested the Ibrox outfit would not stand in the way of Lawrence leaving this month. Solskjaer coached Lawrence early in his career in the Man United academy. Lawrence has entered the final six months of his Rangers contract and could move on in JanuaryGetty Lawrence made one Premier League appearance during his early career at Manchester UnitedGetty Lawrence later came up against his boyhood club during his five-year spell at DerbyGetty He left the Red Devils with only one senior appearance to his name in 2014 to join Leicester. Since then he has played for Derby County – spending five years at Pride Park where he was named captain – and Rangers, where he has been since 2022, amongst various loans. The 23-cap Wales international has only made eight league appearances this season, having been ruled out for six weeks in November. He is now back in contention, and yet hasn’t played since recovering from his injury. Lawrence could be the first of many new signings for new boss Solskjaer, who revealed his excitement at the new challenge when he touched down in Turkey this week. He also added that he has already been in discussions with the club’s board, where transfers were likely on the agenda. Besiktas has also been linked with an interest in Fulham’s Adama Traore, Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati and former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards, who has been tipped for a move away from Sporting Lisbon in January. “It’s great to be here, it’s very nice to see so many people care about this fantastic club,” Solskjaer told members of the press outside Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. Premier League speedster Traore has also been linked with a move to BesiktasGetty Solskjaer doesn’t have long to build his new team in the January windowGETTY “For me, I’ve had a very nice first meeting with the members of the board here and I’m really looking forward to this. “It’s fantastic to be in this beautiful city.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could turn to a former Manchester United player as one of his first signings at new club Besiktas.
The Norwegian has returned to management after more than three years out of the game, in his first job since his departure from the Old Trafford dugout in 2021.
Besiktas have chosen the Man United legend as the man to lead the 16-time Turkish Super Lig champions back to the top.
They currently sit sixth in the table, a whopping 20 points adrift of current leaders Galatasaray, but Solskjaer will be hoping to add to an already talented squad to help reduce the gap and turn Besiktas into challengers again.
The Istanbul giants have a few familiar faces, including former England, Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, ex-Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista and Portuguese ace Gedson Fernandes, who previously spent a season on loan at Tottenham.
They also boast former Lazio striker Ciro Immobile, who is still going strong at the age of 34 and is the club’s top scorer this season with 14 goals.
He scored twice in a 5-0 victory over Galatasaray at the beginning of the season as Besiktas lifted the Turkish Super Cup.
But now Solskjaer will turn his attention to improving his new team, with reports claiming he is keen on being reunited with Welsh forward Tom Lawrence.
The 31-year-old has entered the last six months of his contract at Rangers and is free to discuss pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs to pave the way for a summer move.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports a January switch could be on the cards.
With the Scottish Premiership title race already over – Celtic holding a 13 point lead over the Gers at the top of the table – it is suggested the Ibrox outfit would not stand in the way of Lawrence leaving this month.
Solskjaer coached Lawrence early in his career in the Man United academy.
He left the Red Devils with only one senior appearance to his name in 2014 to join Leicester. Since then he has played for Derby County – spending five years at Pride Park where he was named captain – and Rangers, where he has been since 2022, amongst various loans.
The 23-cap Wales international has only made eight league appearances this season, having been ruled out for six weeks in November. He is now back in contention, and yet hasn’t played since recovering from his injury.
Lawrence could be the first of many new signings for new boss Solskjaer, who revealed his excitement at the new challenge when he touched down in Turkey this week.
He also added that he has already been in discussions with the club’s board, where transfers were likely on the agenda.
Besiktas has also been linked with an interest in Fulham’s Adama Traore, Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati and former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards, who has been tipped for a move away from Sporting Lisbon in January.
“It’s great to be here, it’s very nice to see so many people care about this fantastic club,” Solskjaer told members of the press outside Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport.
“For me, I’ve had a very nice first meeting with the members of the board here and I’m really looking forward to this.
“It’s fantastic to be in this beautiful city.”
