One question stirs every Black Eagles fan’s heart: who should Beşiktaş sell this summer to sharpen the squad, balance finances, and make room for fresh talent? In this article, SaiKick will join you on a journey through Besiktas’ current roster, performance issues, and rumors—before naming the leading candidates for departure and laying out the strategic sense behind each suggestion.
The Context: Why Beşiktaş Must Offload Players
Before we point fingers or name names, it’s essential to understand the landscape Beşiktaş faces:
- Squad bloat and aging contracts: Reports suggest that the club is planning a major overhaul, with up to 20 players potentially leaving or being evaluated for exit. Many faces are reportedly out of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s—or the incoming staff’s—plans.
- Financial pressure: Turkey’s domestic football environment demands shrewd business. To bring in reinforcements, Beşiktaş must free up wage budget and recoup transfer fees.
- Sporting reset under new (or reappointed) coaching: Beşiktaş recently reappointed Sergen Yalçın as head coach, signaling a return to identity and perhaps a different tactical vision than under Solskjær.
- Performance gaps across the pitch: Inconsistencies last season—especially in defense and midfield depth—mean certain players may have underperformed or no longer fit the intended system.
With that in mind, here are the best candidates to move on—and the reasons they make sense.
Criteria for Choosing Who to Sell
When assessing who should go, we consider:
- Age, contract length, and wage burden
- On-field performance and recent contributions
- Tactical fit (or lack thereof) in the new system
- Market interest and resale potential
- Balance across positions – avoiding overkill in one role
Using those lenses, let’s dig into the probable departure list.
Top Candidates to Leave Beşiktaş
Below is a selection of players who seem most likely—and in many cases, most logical—to be sold or released. Some are fringe options, others are veterans whose time may have passed.
Gabriel Paulista (Centre-Back, age 34)
- Why to sell: At age 34 and facing a modest market value, Gabriel Paulista is a veteran presence but may no longer deliver the physical consistency required week in, week out. His contract runs into 2027, meaning Beşiktaş carries a heavy wage commitment for diminishing returns.
- Strategic benefit: Offloading him frees space for younger center-backs like Tiago Djaló or Emirhan Topçu to take more responsibility, while allowing the club to reduce salary overheads.
Salih Uçan (Central Midfield, age 31)
- Why to sell: Uçan’s recent involvement has been minimal, and at 31 he is past peak years. His role in the squad has shrunk, and investing others in that midfield spot might yield better returns.
- Strategic benefit: Moving Uçan allows room for younger, more dynamic midfielders—someone who offers higher energy or pressing strength in midfield, which may align better with new tactics.
Milot Rashica (Winger, age 29)
- Why to sell: Rashica has had decent spells but hasn’t consistently delivered elite production in goals and assists relative to his salary. At 29, he still has value but might yield a decent fee now rather than depreciate.
- Strategic benefit: Selling Rashica could fund more dynamic wide attackers, or help finance a more balanced forward line.
Rafa Silva (Attacking Mid / Winger, age 32)
- Why to sell: Though a star in many periods, reports indicate that Rafa Silva is not currently for sale, which suggests Beşiktaş believes he remains integral. However,.
- Strategic benefit: If a strong offer arrives, Beşiktaş could monetize his quality while reinvesting in younger creative talent.
Necip Uysal (Defender / Utility, age 34)
- Why to sell: Necip has been a loyal servant, but his advanced age and role as a squad utility suggest his marginal returns may no longer justify a place in a leaner, more physically demanding roster.
- Strategic benefit: Releasing or selling Necip helps trim redundancy and allow emerging defenders more minutes.
João Mário & Jean Onana (Midfielders returning from loan or out of favor)
- Why to sell: Both players are reportedly among those not in current plans. They may not fit the tactical identity the club is pivoting to, and offloading them yields financial breathing room.
- Strategic benefit: Clearing such players opens bench spots for promising youth and reduces wage burden for non-essential squad members.
Ciro Immobile (Striker, former but now uncertain)
- Why to sell / not renew: While not always present in every rumor list, some reports have flagged his future as uncertain—whether due to age, adaptation, or contract.
- Strategic benefit: If he is under contract with diminishing returns, selling or not renewing would force Beşiktaş to commit to younger forwards like El Bilal Touré or Jota Silva.
Balancing Exits with Tactical Vision
Selling players is not purely about shrinking the squad. Beşiktaş needs coherence in how the team operates under Yalçın. Some considerations:
- Defensive transition: Backup and rotation central defenders must be ready. Moving a veteran like Paulista only makes sense if youth are trusted.
- Midfield harmony: Players like Wilfred Ndidi and Orkun Kökçü anchor the system. Reducing midfield bloating helps streamline tactics.
- Attacking dynamism: With forwards like Tammy Abraham and Touré, the club must balance with mobile wingers and a creative engine.
- Youth promotion: Beşiktaş has several young options (e.g. Demir Ege Tıknaz) that should be integrated—selling bloated veterans helps accelerate that.
Risks & Caveats
- If no market interest: Some players may have low transfer appeal, meaning Beşiktaş will struggle to recoup value.
- Depth issues: If too many defenders or midfielders depart, the squad risks lacking backup in key fixtures.
- Fan sentiment and leadership: Some names (like Rafa Silva or Necip) are crowd favorites; selling them could upset morale or fan support.
- Timing: Exit moves need to align with reinforcements—selling before securing replacements is dangerous.
Summary of Recommended Sales
| Player | Position | Age | Reason for Exit | Strategic Benefit |
| Gabriel Paulista | Centre-Back | 34 | Declining returns, heavy wages | Space for younger defenders |
| Salih Uçan | Central Midfield | 31 | Minimal involvement | Free up midfield spot |
| Milot Rashica | Winger | 29 | Inconsistent output | Monetize now, reinvest |
| Necip Uysal | Utility / Defense | 34 | Squad redundancy, age | Trim wage bill, open minutes |
| João Mário / Jean Onana | Central Midfield | 30s | Out of plan / poor fit | Remove dead weight |
| Ciro Immobile (if applicable) | Striker | 35ish | Diminishing returns | Shift to younger forward options |
Conclusion
In deciding who should Beşiktaş sell, the club must combine fiscal prudence with a clear footballing identity. Beşiktaş’s heavy roster cannot survive under a refreshed vision led by Sergen Yalçın without shedding high-cost, low-impact players. The names above—Paulista, Uçan, Rashica, Necip, João Mário / Onana, and possibly Immobile—represent logical cuts to buy tactical flexibility, youth integration, and financial breathing room.
If you’re a Black Eagles fan curious about how each departure affects squad dynamics—or want predictions on who will actually leave—just say the word. Next up, I can write potential replacements, expected transfer bids, or a projected 2025–26 squad after the sales.
