Sport Lisboa e Benfica is navigating transfer waters as Turkish club Besiktas pursues Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis with a €20M bid—well below the Lisbon club's €50M valuation, but enough to test the resolve of a side looking to balance its squad this summer.
The Friendship Factor: Kokçu's Recruitment Role
Besiktas president Serdal Adali has enlisted an unusual asset in his pursuit of Pavlidis: former Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokçu, who now captains the Istanbul side. The Turkish international and Pavlidis share a genuine friendship forged during the 2024/25 season, when both played at Estádio da Luz. Before that, they were Eredivisie rivals when Kokçu wore Feyenoord's colors and Pavlidis represented AZ Alkmaar.
Now, Kokçu is reportedly acting as a recruiter-in-residence. Turkish sports daily Fanatik claims he has been pitching Pavlidis on the Besiktas project, describing the atmosphere at Besiktas Park and the club's ambitions under its new leadership structure. The effort appears to have had some effect: sources close to the Greek international suggest he is "acclimating to the idea" of a move to Turkey and is waiting to see how negotiations unfold over the coming weeks.
Kokçu himself has thrived since returning to Turkey. After a period away, the midfielder was loaned to Besiktas, which subsequently activated a €25M purchase clause. In the 2025/26 Süper Lig season, he tallied 8 goals and 8 assists in 30 appearances, cementing his status as a fan favorite among the Besiktas faithful.
What Benfica Wants—And Pavlidis's Market Position
The Portuguese giants acquired Pavlidis in July 2024 for €18M plus €2M in performance add-ons. His contract runs through June 2029 and contains a €100M release clause. Over 110 matches in all competitions, the Greek forward has delivered 60 goals and 17 assists, a return that has attracted attention from several top European clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Juventus.
Benfica rejected a bid exceeding €50M for the same player previously, and club president Rui Costa is understood to be holding out for a similar figure now. Besiktas's opening bid of €20M—structured as a lump sum plus performance-related bonuses—falls far short. However, the Turkish side is betting that negotiations could eventually narrow the gap as the summer window progresses.
Marco Silva's Role
The timing of this saga is complicated by Marco Silva's arrival. The former Fulham boss was officially unveiled as Benfica's new head coach on June 9, succeeding José Mourinho, who departed for Real Madrid. Silva signed a two-year contract with an optional third season, and his approval will be critical in deciding Pavlidis's fate. The new manager's input on the squad's composition will influence whether the club moves forward with the Greek striker or explores alternatives.
What Happens Next
The next few weeks will clarify whether Besiktas is serious enough to increase its offer or if this saga evolves as summer progresses. Pavlidis, for his part, has not publicly expressed a desire to leave Benfica, but his apparent openness to Kokçu's overtures suggests he is at least considering the possibility of a move to Turkey.
For Benfica, the key question is whether they will entertain a lower offer from Besiktas or hold firm on their €50M valuation while exploring other options in what promises to be an active transfer window.
