Besiktas centerback Domagoj Vida is a hot commodity on the transfer market, with a potential ‘record fee’ incoming.
The Report
Reports over the past few weeks have linked the Croatian defender with the likes of Liverpool, West Ham, and apparently Arsenal.
Sport Witness is reporting that Besiktas is looking to acquire “€30m plus” in Vida’s transfer. That would make him the highest transfer ever to the Premier League from Turkey’s Super Lig. Cenk Tosun, Turkish international currently on Everton, currently holds the record at £26m.
Will it happen?
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If Arsenal are serious about purchasing Vida, they will likely be stiff competition from their London rivals West Ham.
The Hammers have spent a lot of money in the transfer market this summer, as Manuel Pellegrini is looking to improve a squad that has underperformed since moving to London stadium in 2016. Bein Sports Turkey reported that West Ham offered £22m for Vida’s services, but Besiktas is looking to add another EPL club in the bidding so that Vida’s price can rise.
For Arsenal, it seems unlikely that they will look to buy another centerback after the purchase of Sokratis. New manager Unai Emery has stated that Arsenal is likely done in the transfer market, but some fans are eager for more defensive solidity in the post-Wenger era.
Who is Vida?
Vida was very impressive for the surprise Croatian team that made it all the way to the 2018 World Cup final. Vida was often more defensively imposing than his Liverpool counterpart Dejan Lovren.
However, there was some controversy in Russia. After Croatia defeated the host nation on penalties, a video surfaced of Vida and a Croatian assistant coach chanting ““Glory to Ukraine!”.
The assistant coach was promptly fired by the Croatian FA and FIFA warned Vida against making “politically charged comments”. Vida cuts an interesting figure, not to mention he also sports a now iconic haircut. But, is he good enough to succeed in the Premier League?
With all the reports it seems that one English team is going to take a chance on this Vida, whether that is Arsenal or someone else is still up in the air.