Kyle Walker-Peters is regularly linked with big European moves but this time, he must fend off competition from a former Barcelona mainstay to secure his return to European tournaments.
For consistently struggling teams like Southampton, a recognition from European football's biggest names is a praiseworthy achievement. Just shy of a month's duration, out-of-favour stalwart Yukinari Sugawara was also motivated similarly by an ex-Barcelona defender's comeback.
The La Liga giants are one of the best in the business when it comes to assembling rock-solid defences, thus, Sugawara can gain a valuable thing or two from those lofty comparisons. Indeed, they seem flattering at first glance but when you consider that Kyle Walker-Peters used to lead the right side of the back-line at St. Mary's, then it's more than justified.
That's because the 28-year-old has gone a step further than Sugawara by rivalling a former Barcelona starter in the ongoing transfer market.
According to a report from journalist Sercan Dikme, Walker-Peters enjoys the same level of transfer appreciation from Besiktas as his ex-Barcelona counterpart Nelson Semedo does.
Walker-Peters linking with Besiktas won't upset Tottenham Hotspurs
Now, a couple of Premier League drops might reflect poorly on Walker-Peters' part but that doesn't hide his previous Champions League experiences. Coincidentally, in his brief career on the European stage, the versatile wingback went toe-to-toe with Semedo and the duo ended up splitting points among them.
Agreed, that came in the past decade but the present Besiktas assignment demands Europa League calibre, where Walker-Peters has a fair likelihood of coming out on top in front of Semedo. Imagine if this happened, then it'll spell the end of the Saints hero's Arsenal links.
And that might be a better outcome as completely cutting ties with his childhood club Tottenham may carve out a bad reputation for Walker-Peters among their fans. A sight that Southampton fans won't want happening against any of their former players.
Let's hope Walker-Peters eventually fills the Turkish side's defensive vacancy.