Football General Manager
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- Full-back set to leave AC Milan after one season
- Royal has greenlit his move to Turkey
- Besiktas preparing a loan offer for the Brazilian
Milan defender Royal is on the verge of departing the club after just a year arriving from Tottenham. Excluded from Milan’s Asia-Pacific tour and not part of the head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s future plans, his exit is now considered a certainty following an underwhelming debut season. According to Fabrizio Romano, Royal has given his approval for a switch and Besiktas are now discussing a deal with the Italian club that will bring the Brazilian full-back to Istanbul.
The ex-Tottenham defender’s brief tenure at Milan has been marked by disappointment. Royal made only 26 appearances as he suffered a serious calf injury mid-season which kept him out for the remainder of the season, failing to make an impact and meet performance expectations. This led Milan to actively place him on the market. For Besiktas, acquiring Royal, even on an initial loan with an option to buy, represents an opportunity to add a known name to their squad and also makes him a good option as the Turkish giants were looking for experienced right-backs they can afford.
Earlier, Galatasaray wanted to sign the 26-year-old defender in January but the deal couldn’t go through as the Brazilian suffered an injury. Later, it was Alvaro Morata who made the switch from Milan to Turkey to join Galatasaray.
Royal can be a good addition for Besiktas. The Brazilian brings strong defensive skills and high work rate, as shown during his time at Real Betis and Tottenham. With 10 assists in two La Liga seasons and four goals and two assists in 79 games for Tottenham. Royal offers both stability and attacking support. Should he find his confidence, the ex-Barcelona player can be relied on for passing and versatility, both of which can make a him a valuable asset for Besiktas.
