Rani Khedira: Besiktas eye move for Union Berlin’s German-Tunisian midfielder

Rani Khedira, the German-Tunisian defensive midfielder currently at Union Berlin, is being linked with a move to Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas as the Istanbul club explore experienced options for the centre of their midfield.

The 32-year-old, who has been a mainstay in the Bundesliga, is understood to be on Besiktas’ shortlist as they look to add a proven holding midfielder with significant top-flight experience. Khedira’s current market valuation is around €2m, a figure that would make him a relatively cost-effective target for the Turkish club.

Khedira joined Union Berlin from Augsburg on a free transfer in July 2021 and has since been part of the team’s rise to regular European participation. Over the course of his career he has made 287 Bundesliga appearances, underlining his durability and familiarity with top-level competition. He has also featured in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, adding continental experience that would appeal to a club competing for honours in Turkiye.

Born in Stuttgart and standing at 1.88m, Khedira operates as a right-footed defensive midfielder and has amassed more than 22,000 minutes in the Bundesliga alone, contributing 14 goals and eight assists from a primarily destructive role.

Union Berlin have previously shown a willingness to reshape their squad pragmatically, having signed Khedira without a transfer fee when his Augsburg contract ended. His current deal at the Bundesliga club is not publicly disclosed, leaving scope for negotiations should Besiktas decide to advance their interest in the coming weeks.