Marcel Brands can conquer a major Everton hurdle in January by offloading Cenk Tosun to Besiktas after President Ahmet Nur Cebi confirmed they are keen to re-sign the Turkey international.

What’s the word?

While speaking with BeIN Sports, Cebi has confirmed Super Lig giants Besiktas are intent to lure Tosun back to Vodafone Park in the winter market, as he and manager Sergen Yalcin strive to improve the Black Eagles after a woeful start to the 2020/21 season.

Besiktas currently sit in a lowly 11th place, having won just three of their opening seven league fixtures, while relying on Cyle Larin to lead the scoring with four of his side’s 10 goals.

Making Besiktas a success again is the only goal for Cebi and Yalcin, who intend to use the mid-season window to hire a new striker and particularly wish to land club icon Tosun after the 29-year-old’s 64 goals in 142 games with the Turkish side.

“There is a saying: ‘My dear wants heaven, but my sins do not leave,'” Cebi said. “I also want Besiktas to get better players for success. We want to rejuvenate the team. I want a striker transfer.

“Cenk Tosun comes to the fore as a name. Cenk Tosun is with a club now, connected, but I would like to try it if there is a chance to play a ball for Besiktas at half-time.”

It remains to be seen if Besiktas approach Everton wishing to discuss a potential permanent or loan deal for Tosun, who remains under contract at Goodison Park until 2022 on a £60,000-per-week deal.

A major hurdle finally conquered

Everton Director of Football Brands looking fondly on an approach from Besiktas this winter could allow the Dutchman to finally conquer a major hurdle, having relentlessly failed in efforts to offload Tosun over the past two years.

The Toffees slapped a £20million asking price on the 43-cap international in January 2019 as they looked to offload the striker after he fell out of favour under Marco Silva, who awarded the £27m Sam Allardyce signing just 12 Premier League starts throughout his tenure.

No permanent offer was agreed, despite Everton fielding enquiries from Premier League sides, and Tosun’s future remained under threat until the striker Allardyce lauded as “the best in Europe” joined Crystal Palace on loan this January in a deal that featured a £20m option to buy.

“He is two-footed, perhaps not the biggest but he's very efficient in the air and in the box he gets good space to get his head on the ball," said the former England manager, via quotes by BBC Sport. “We looked at the qualities of the player, his talent and goalscoring, and his resilience, too. I do not think you can look any more than we have done.”

But a serious knee injury that forced the 29-year-old to undergo surgery saw Tosun’s spell in south London last just two months, before stating this summer that he would only agree to leave Goodison Park once he had fully recovered.

That time is now after Tosun made his return to the field after an eight-month hiatus versus Newcastle, before featuring for an additional 10 minutes at home to Manchester United.

AND in other news, Everton have reached a decision on the future of a “quality” but rarely-seen £4.5m-rated talent.