Beşiktaş J.K. are reportedly stepping up plans to sign Ibrahim Sangaré from Nottingham Forest as the Turkish club prepares for possible midfield changes this summer.
According to reports from Turkey, Besiktas are increasingly focused on recruiting a new defensive midfielder amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Wilfred Ndidi. The former Leicester City midfielder impressed during his debut campaign in Istanbul and has reportedly attracted interest from clubs considering a Premier League move.
That situation has pushed Sangare towards the top of Besiktas’ shortlist.
Besiktas identify Ibrahim Sangare as priority target
Turkish outlet Takvim claim Besiktas have already initiated contact with Sangare’s representatives as they explore the conditions of a possible transfer.
The next stage is expected to involve direct discussions with Nottingham Forest to establish whether a summer deal is financially realistic. However, Forest are unlikely to lower their demands easily given Sangare’s importance to the squad and the length of his current contract.
The midfielder remains tied to the City Ground until June 2028, strengthening Forest’s negotiating position ahead of the window.
Having followed Nottingham Forest’s midfield development closely this season, Sangare’s role has become increasingly significant in balancing the side defensively. His physical presence and ball-winning ability have helped provide stability during several important stretches of the campaign.
That could complicate Besiktas’ hopes of securing a straightforward deal.
Galatasaray interest highlighted growing Turkish demand
This is not the first time Sangare has attracted serious interest from Turkey.
Galatasaray S.K. also attempted to sign the Ivory Coast international during the previous transfer window. Reports at the time suggested Galatasaray vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu travelled for discussions alongside well-known intermediary George Gardi.
Despite those efforts, Nottingham Forest refused to sanction a departure.
Forest’s reluctance partly reflected wider uncertainty in midfield after squad changes involving Douglas Luiz and other Premier League-linked targets across Europe. As a result, the club viewed Sangare as an important piece of squad continuity heading into the second half of the season.
| Stat (2025/26) | Ibrahim Sangaré |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 42 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 88% |
source: sofascore match data – 13 May 2026
Those numbers only partly reflect his value. Sangare’s influence has often come through defensive coverage, ball recoveries and protecting transitions rather than direct attacking output.
What’s next?
Besiktas are expected to formalise their interest soon, although the size of their opening proposal has not yet been disclosed. Much may depend on developments surrounding Wilfred Ndidi and whether Premier League clubs accelerate interest in the Nigerian midfielder over the coming weeks.
For Nottingham Forest, the situation is relatively straightforward for now. Sangare remains under a long-term contract and there is no immediate pressure to sell unless a significant financial offer arrives.
However, Turkish clubs have shown increasing willingness to target Premier League players in recent transfer windows, meaning this story may continue developing as the market opens officially.
Would Ibrahim Sangare suit the intensity of Turkish football, or should Nottingham Forest keep him at the centre of their midfield rebuild?
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