Besiktas have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Reiss Nelson according to media in Turkey with their board making him their top priority.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15:  Reiss Nelson of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on July 15, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Reiss Nelson (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Fotospor in Turkey report that Besiktas have made Reiss Nelson their main target for this window with their manager, Sergen Yalcin, wanting a winger.

Apparently, their board will do all they can to secure the signing of Nelson, most likely on loan.

It would need to be a loan given that Nelson is valued at around £11.25m and has three-years left on his current Arsenal contract. Turkish sides are notorious for wanting everyone but never having any money to spend.

Mohamed Elneny spent last season on loan with Besiktas but it did not go well. He went there, however, to secure a move a way from Arsenal while Nelson, if he goes, would be hoping to prove himself to Mikel Arteta.

LIEGE, BELGIUM - DECEMBER 12: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal looks dejected after a missed chance during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Standard Liege and Arsenal FC at Stade Maurice Dufrasne on December 12, 2019 in Liege, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
LIEGE, BELGIUM – DECEMBER 12: Reiss Nelson  (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Nelson started just five league game under Arteta last season and three of those came in Arteta’s first three games in charge. After that Nelson dropped to the bench for two games before picking up a hamstring issue that ruled him out of the next four. He started just another two games after that – against Norwich and Liverpool.

He started just one game in the FA Cup and played in only one other but it doesn’t seem like Arteta is any rush to get rid of the 20-year-old.

Speaking after the Liverpool game, Arteta said of Nelson, “He is a big talent and does a lot of work behind [the scenes]. I trust in him, he is working a lot in every training session and today he had the chance to start and I am really happy for him because I think he deserves it.”

Three clubs reportedly wanted to sign him last summer with a fee of £20m being mentioned.

Besiktas finished in third place in the Super Lig, earning themselves a Champions League qualifier that will take place on 26 August against PAOK Salonika, Chuba Akpom’s side.

Akpom, meanwhile, is apparently another player Besiktas are said to be interested in.