Besiktas have confirmed the signing of Malian forward El Bilal Touré from Atalanta on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy.
The 23-year-old international, who endured a frustrating year in Italy due to persistent injuries, has sealed a move that will offer him a fresh start in the Turkish Süper Lig.
The deal, finalised after weeks of speculation over his future, provides Touré with the chance to reignite his career after limited playing time at Atalanta.
The agreement between the two clubs is structured as a temporary loan but includes a compulsory purchase clause. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the fee to make the move permanent is expected to be around €15m, payable at the conclusion of the campaign.
For Besiktas, the acquisition represents a significant attacking reinforcement as the club looks to challenge rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce for the Süper Lig title. Touré’s arrival is viewed as a crucial step in strengthening a frontline that lacked consistency last season.
The Istanbul giants believe his combination of pace, power and finishing ability will inject new energy into their attacking play.
Touré first rose to prominence at Almeria, where his performances in La Liga earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe.
His move to Serie A with Atalanta in 2023 was heralded as a major step forward in his career. However, a series of fitness setbacks restricted his opportunities in Bergamo and stalled his momentum.
Now, with a move to Turkey confirmed, the forward has the platform to regain rhythm and confidence. Besiktas’ coaching staff are expected to place considerable faith in the striker, who they hope can rediscover the form that once made him a sought-after talent across Europe.
For Touré himself, the transfer represents a crucial moment. At just 23, he has already experienced the highs of top-level football in Spain and Italy, but also the frustrations of being sidelined during key stages of his development.
The switch to Besiktas offers the chance to play regular football in a competitive environment, while competing for silverware and a return to his best.
Besiktas supporters have reacted with excitement to the club’s announcement, seeing Touré as a statement signing that underlines their ambitions for the season. His ability to operate both as a central striker and in wider attacking roles is expected to give the team tactical flexibility, while his physical presence could prove vital in decisive matches.
The Malian international will now join his new teammates in Istanbul as the club intensifies preparations for the domestic campaign. With the Süper Lig season underway, Touré’s adaptation to his new surroundings will be closely watched, particularly as Besiktas aim to build early momentum.
If the move proves successful, the obligation-to-buy clause ensures that Besiktas will retain his services permanently, securing a long-term asset for their attacking plans. For now, though, the focus will be firmly on the striker rediscovering his sharpness and playing a central role in the club’s pursuit of silverware.
El Bilal Touré’s move marks one of the most notable transfers of the Turkish summer window – a calculated gamble by Besiktas and a new chapter for a player eager to demonstrate his true potential.
