Messi & Arda Turan set to participate in Barcelona v Besiktas – Vodafone Arena opening

Luis Enrique Barcelona injury news Lionel Messi

Besiktas are set to play a friendly with Barcelona to mark the opening of their new stadium. The Black Eagles are currently building the 42,1903 seater Vodafone Arena stadium which is expected to be ready in early 2016.

Milliyet state that an agreement has been struck between Besiktas and Barcelona and a contract will be signed in the coming weeks.

The daily Turkish newspaper states that Beko, who previously sponsored Besiktas and now sponsor Barcelona, have played a major role in arranging the friendly.

The stadium will replace the old İnönü and is being constructed on the same land as the previous venue.

Besiktas’ President FIkret Orman previously stated that he wants the opening game to be with the Champions League champions Barcelona.

“If possible we are planing to organise our inauguration game against Barcelona but it all depends on when the opening goes ahead,” Orman was quoted as saying by Fanatik.

The İnonü stadium is currently being rebuilt, the new Vodafone arena will be a state of the art, 41,903 seater stadium. The Istanbul based club recently signed a $145 million deal with Vodafone which included shirt sponsorship as well as the stadium naming rights.

Vodafone reached a sponsorship agreement for $29 million which will see the company brand advertised on the front of the shirt for 3+2 years.

See More
Four reasons why Liverpool star Emre Can will succeed under Jurgen Klopp
Mesut Ozil is the reason Arsenal are top of the table says Thierry Henry