Rumour Mongering: Besiktas Want Liverpool Midfielder Lucas Leiva

Despite having a year left to run on his Liverpool contract, the widespread belief is that Lucas Leiva will move on this summer in search of regular minutes as a starter. Today, we get the first rumblings of a potential destination—and it’s hardly a surprise that it’s one of the clubs that has often been linked with Lucas in the past.

According to Turkey’s Fanatik, Besiktas are willing to meet the player’s wage demands of around £75k per week and Liverpool have made it clear they will not stand in the way of the player’s departure should he wish to move on this summer. Put the two together, and you’ve got a deal. Or at least the rumour of one.

Lucas has reportedly also received interest from clubs back in Brazil, though his desire to not take a massive pay cut on leaving Liverpool has meant any talk of a return to his homeland at this stage in his career is a non-starter and that Europe—in particular Italy or Turkey—is far more likely should he depart Anfield.

Last summer, he was linked with a half-dozen clubs in Serie A and the Turkish Super Lig, including Besiktas. In general, the Italian clubs that were linked could offer Europa League play along with a more prestigious domestic competition while the Turkish ones linked were at least Champions League aspirants.

With Besiktas—set to enter next season’s Champions League group stages—reportedly once again interested, the early signs are that a similar choice is shaping up for the 30-year-old midfielder this summer. Assuming, of course, that in the end he doesn’t choose instead to remain at Liverpool for one more season.